8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2025/26

[Dax777]

I agree re Cherki and Foden.

But I actually think our best midfield trio is Rodri, Nico G and Foden.

That trio has the perfect blend of physicality, distance running and tracking, and just enough creativity and goal scoring.

Reijnders, Nico O, Bernie and Kova should be the backups. Nico O can clearly rotate at LB as well.

I was talking about how think Pep views it. Personally, its horses for courses. In big games on the road i want the Nicos and Rodri with Cherki and Doku on the wings behind s striker.. At home I want Rodri, Nico G, and Cherki in middle with Doku and Foden on the wings

 

[WallyA]

I was talking about how think Pep views it. Personally, its horses for courses. In big games on the road i want the Nicos and Rodri with Cherki and Doku on the wings behind s striker.. At home I want Rodri, Nico G, and Cherki in middle with Doku and Foden on the wings

I assumed you were referring to Pep.

Swapping Foden for Nico O is a good swap for bigger games.

For your home suggestion id swap Foden and Cherki, I prefer Foden as a 8/10 with Cherki as an inverted winger more than the other way personally for defensive stability.

But I think the difference between the two is very negligible and likely comp dependent.

 

[DJ Dreamer]

Nice to see the glue back. Those short passes have been missed.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Welcome back Kova. Really big miss for us this year.

 

[WallyA]

Honestly, I wouldn't mind if he stays next season.

He knows exactly what to do in Bernies role.

He just kept us ticking along.

 

[denTTony]

Not much to stay about today but good to have him back

 

[Chak19]

Nice to see him back on the pitch.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Great to see him back. Ridiculously underrated by our fans, we've missed him this season. Expected him to look very, very rusty but instead looked surprisingly fresh, even in that cameo, the little drives forward. Following passes and playing forward were there.

 

[King Jay]

Love his agility compared to #20

 

[skillman]

Nice to see the glue back. Those short passes have been missed.

Short and forward passes! They make such a difference to tempo.

Love me some Kovaball. Wouldn’t be against keeping him as a squad player but also wouldn’t want to see him getting minutes over Nico G as shown today.

 

[hilts]

Welcome back Kova.

 

[Digsy's Dinner]

Only 13 league minutes this season due to injury! Good to see him back though. Key player at the end of last season, when we were pushing for a UCL spot. Hopefully gets some more minutes come the end of this season.

 

[PuncturedBicycle]

Hope we get to see one more kova 'fall over' goal

 

[pbueno16]

Mateo "class is permanent" Kovacic

 

[blue_danube]

Our best player today

 

[WallyA]

Easy decision to keep next season imo.

 

[01cravend]

Picked a good time to get back to fitness... Will be important in the run-in

 

[Blue-Ghana]

Very good performance. If he can stay fit, he is a good asset

 

[Mr HJ]

If he's happy being a squad player it would be good if he stays - he knows the systems we play and is calm. However he doesn't have the power and fitness he once had so should not be in the first 11 against the very best sides. Love how he does try to get us going forward.

I think he may want more game time & a lot will depend on who we bring in but not a bad guy to come in and do well when needed. He will not let anyone down.

 

[bhayes]

If he's happy being a squad player it would be good if he stays - he knows the systems we play and is calm. However he doesn't have the power and fitness he once had so should not be in the first 11 against the very best sides. Love how he does try to get us going forward.

I think he may want more game time & a lot will depend on who we bring in but not a bad guy to come in and do well when needed. He will not let anyone down.

He has to go while he has some gas left in the tank, we need to invest in a younger cm