Because they wanted to spend half a billion on a new midfield
8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2023/24
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Sk@mcfc
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Great travelling with the ball I knew he would be good signing but can’t believe how quick he has picked up peps way of playing in midfield
applejuice
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And I am right.
He was not started as the left eight today.
He was started in a more central position and closer to what Rodri/Stones usually be in the build up stage. Not Gundo. Alvarez was filling in Gundo's position. That is not attacking midfielder line in our system. That is defensive midfielder - standing together with Rodri and Akanji in the build up.
Perhaps in the longer term he will be put more forward. But he is clearly more comfortable in the 2nd line not the front.
When he rotated occasionally to the left eight position when defending in the first half. He lost the man running behind. Thankfully Newcastle put a pass too heavy. Clearly he did not have such problem at the right side. Then 2nd half we changed shape a bit, Gvardiol moved more central.
Again I supported this transfer from day one. He has great quality but it does not mean he is the replacement of Gundo's position.
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Zin 'messiah' Zimmer
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Nope, you’re still struggling and the usage of mythical positioning to sound pseudo intellectual doesn’t sugarcoat what your eyes clearly are missing; you lambasted he doesn’t have the engine to close down or lacks the skill set ;
I can’t blame these observations given most, just like the British media it seems, are basing his game on his Chelsea stay, in fact the pundits last night said the same and only reinforces how inept the so called experts (like yourself) are (:
He has, and has always had, an explosion of pace in tight areas, which unless you’ve been hiding in osamas bunker for the last 8 years, is perfecto for our style..:
Just admit you base this on his Chelsea stay and we’ll leave it like that, otherwise I’ll have to get the white board out and I can’t be arsed, the ESPN, 10 pin bowling vegas open is about to start and I need to comb my hair!
The idea that Kova cannot play the Gundo role is BS in my opinion. Admittedly there are differences in the two, the very striking one being a goal threat running to the box from deep. This is no show stopper though because the short passing, dribbling, creativity, press resistance, defensive and other qualities that makes for success in that role are well in his grasp.
Gabriel
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Didn’t get much coverage, but the goal last night largely stemmed from Kovacic’s through ball that found Foden in the half space. It was an excellently weighted pick that took three Newcastle defenders out and was similar to de Bruyne’s pass to Bernardo for his first against Real Madrid. Such passes won’t garner much attention as they are not assists leading directly to goals, but they are indicative of what he brings. Rather like Toure, Nasri, and de Bruyne before him, he has slotted into the midfield seamlessly, which is testimony to his quality.
brazilians hurt
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This seasons Akanji - astute signing & I bet he’s loving it here
jimmygrimblesboots
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Early days but he is looking like he has been here for years , he is so good on the ball and is the archetypical Pep player , he will never replace Gundo's goal threat but his link up play with Rodri is looking very promising , the clubs recruitment over the last few seasons has been incredible , we just keep on signing gems for bargain fees in comparison to other clubs.
applejuice
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I did not even watch the game from British channel. As I posted here before I am currently on a term abroad. You may rewatch the game in the first half yourself.
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