8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2023/24

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Middedon said:
I know he’s captained Croatia but I don’t think anywhere else? He’s such a smart, thoughtful speaker and seemingly such an understated leader. In an alternate universe he’s a guy that could have captained a team somewhere for ten years. To me, he’s a model of players we should look for to fill gaps (not the only model!) - hardworking, happy to learn under Pep, experience on big stage, happy to play any type of role - from sub to starter.
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just needs to work on his pens then
 
vanchi said:
as you can see, the previous poster considers only finals matter at all. i’ve seen it here many times. foden didn’t start the final, take him out of the treble winners list. i do not agree with that take, i’m just done with with the constant crap kova’s been getting. you don’t have to agree with me of course.
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You're going to get crap if your hill to die on is that Kova is a deserved 4 times Champions League winner. I don't agree about just the finals thing, but when he's not starting any of the meaningful knockout games, that does suggest he was a squad player.

He's a great player. Before he arrived a few City players had even described him as one of the best they'd ever faced. But he's very, very lucky to have 4 CL medals.

Comparing his contribution to Foden, who had multiple injuries last season is pointless. In City's first run to the CL, Foden played every game, starting 12 out of 13, including the final, and he's already played a lot more CL knockout games than Kovacic.
 
bluenova said:
You're going to get crap if your hill to die on is that Kova is a deserved 4 times Champions League winner. I don't agree about just the finals thing, but when he's not starting any of the meaningful knockout games, that does suggest he was a squad player.

He's a great player. Before he arrived a few City players had even described him as one of the best they'd ever faced. But he's very, very lucky to have 4 CL medals.

Comparing his contribution to Foden, who had multiple injuries last season is pointless. In City's first run to the CL, Foden played every game, starting 12 out of 13, including the final, and he's already played a lot more CL knockout games than Kovacic.
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most of the time it’s about being a starter in the finals. feel free to do a forum search and see for yourself.

using that “great” argument, foden’s out of the picture.

it is NOT my opinion obviously.

my opinion is that football is a team game and measuring a player’s worth just by being a starter in one game is idiotic.
 
vanchi said:
most of the time it’s about being a starter in the finals. feel free to do a forum search and see for yourself.

using that “great” argument, foden’s out of the picture.

it is NOT my opinion obviously.

my opinion is that football is a team game and measuring a player’s worth just by being a starter in one game is idiotic.
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I agree.
 
Kova is unique and consistent. He stabilises the team on court. A team need such a midfielder and there is not many such player that is pressure resistant at top level in the most critical games. and not many fans appreciate Kova’s playing style as it seems passive, just side passes. But in a good functioning team, such passive play can end up with 4:0 without running the ass off. A lot fans prefer “direct” players but actually that means a lot of turn overs and extra miles of running to cover back by team mates.
 
Think he’s great I just wish he wouldn’t try to turn and burst forward in our own first third, he does get caught and the we get in trouble, needs to start to help the knackered Rodri on Sunday.
 
Some signing this guy has been and for a man that has won 4 Champions leagues , a guy that looks utterly delighted to be on the verge on winning a title in our shirt.
 
I thought he was really good again yesterday. Getting a foot in, calm on the ball and always there to receive the ball. There was a clear strategy of playing intricate direct quick passes through their midfield, and a few of our players weren't getting it right but I think that was due to Spurs changing their approach and crowding the midfield. At HT we changed things and looked to switch the play from side to side instead and everyone performed much better.
 
Frankie lad said:
I thought he was superb tonight and his inclusion alongside the charming man is one of the big reasons we are on this fine run.
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Yep

I wrote near the start of this thread a few times early in the season when people were saying he's a poor signing that he will prove people wrong and prove to be a very valuable signing by the end of the season

seems Pep agrees that he is important because he starting games in these big games.

It's a team game, not every player needs to be spectacular in their style. He's just a very solid and intelligent player and you need those just as much as the flair players. He adds great balance.
 
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