8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2023/24

[ninjamonkey]

Fair point. Who you leaving out though?

That's the question. I don't know to be honest but for me it's Rodri and kovacic central and Bernardo on the right for certain to give us that base and then we fill in the gaps in the lineup from there.

Haaland upfront so then you've got to pick 2 from kdb, foden, doku, alvarez, Grealish, Nunes and Bobb. I can't see how the first two don't play so that kind of forces the team.

It's a nice and unusual problem to have and should give us a strong bench to go to if we need it. Now i've typed that out, the strength of our attacking options just further cements my believe we have to get that steady midfield in place first. The last thing we want is to be chasing the game, if we need to use the bench to win it, so be it.

 

[Craig]

That's the question. I don't know to be honest but for me it's Rodri and kovacic central and Bernardo on the right for certain to give us that base and then we fill in the gaps in the lineup from there.

Haaland upfront so then you've got to pick 2 from kdb, foden, doku, alvarez, Grealish, Nunes and Bobb. I can't see how the first two don't play so that kind of forces the team.

It's a nice and unusual problem to have and should give us a strong bench to go to if we need it. Now i've typed that out, the strength of our attacking options just further cements my believe we have to get that steady midfield in place first. The last thing we want is to be chasing the game, if we need to use the bench to win it, so be it.

Think Grealish is a cert starter on the left.So it’s out of kDB and Foden. Be amazed if they don’t both start so think Kova will miss out to be honest.

 

[Sk@mcfc]

Absolutely class

 

[applejuice]

why? personally i would rather play bernardo next to rodri, foden on the right, kdb in the middle. bernie cant do the same damage vs mendy that he did vs camavinga last season

Bernado will play in the middle for sure. We only stabilized the shape when he was moved more central in 2nd half vs Real Madrid.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Think Grealish is a cert starter on the left.So it’s out of kDB and Foden. Be amazed if they don’t both start so think Kova will miss out to be honest.

Every chance that might be the case. This was more what I think rather than what I think pep will do. I dont think even pep would dare to leave out kdb or foden unless they weren't ready.

Pep currently doesn't seem to see kovacic as essential based on his game time this season. I think theres a good chance it'd prove to be a costly mistake not to start him but that's just my view, I'll back whatever pep decides which is probably more likely to be as you suggest and pray I'm wrong. We've got options at least, not been able to say that for a while.

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

If there was a best value for money signing of the season Kovacic would win it , a snip at £25m and has slotted into our playing style seemlessly , he has joined the best club in the world and has not looked out of place.

 

[WallyA]

I really liked seeing him in midfield with a supporting cast.

Playing deeper, having the other midfielders around him slightly higher.

 

[Dax777]

Think Grealish is a cert starter on the left.So it’s out of kDB and Foden. Be amazed if they don’t both start so think Kova will miss out to be honest.

Drop Kova. Rodri, KDB, and Foden in the middle. Bernado and Grealish on the wings.

 

[blueballs84]

Genuinely believe he is one of our worst buys ever.

Comes on to protect leads and routinely fails.
Can't anchor the midfield.
Barely scores goals.
Doesn't control the midfield.
Doesn't actually do anything a proper footballer should.

The downgrade from Gundogan to this trash is absolutely astonishing.

 

[Haaland94]

Genuinely believe he is one of our worst buys ever.

Comes on to protect leads and routinely fails.
Can't anchor the midfield.
Barely scores goals.
Doesn't control the midfield.
Doesn't actually do anything a proper footballer should.

The downgrade from Gundogan to this trash is absolutely astonishing.

Get a grip. Kova has been MOTM for us many times. He is a useful utility player. Blame the management for not buying a genuine starter to replace Gundo. Poor pen, but Pep is the one who selected him. I would have selected Rodri, who scored 2 beautiful pens for Spain recently.