Mateo Kovacic

[Dazzle84]

He's technically perfect, can withstand a lot of pressure on the ball.

I'd say he carries little end product in terms of goals, although he is capable of a real banger.

For me, it's smart business because he will give us two or three good years and then we can go again.

There will be little drop off, certainly in terms of keeping the ball and moving through the lines, added to the fact he has won big at big clubs.

£30m these days doesn't even get you McTominay.

Bloody hell, when you put it like that. McTominay. Fucking hell.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

You would have to offer us a shedload more than that to take him off their hands

McFred? Two for the price of one?

Dumb and dumber?

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Bloody hell, when you put it like that. McTominay. Fucking hell.

They want £50m for him!

 

[Coatigan]

Edersic, Akanjic, Gomic, De Bruynic, Alvaric, Haalic

I could change to Croatigan for the final if it helps.

 

[foggy1974]

They want £50m for him!

That's so they can give Maguire £10m

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

They want £50m for him!

That values Phillips at around £250m

 

[richards30]

They want £50m for him!

In what fucking realm is he worth that?!

 

[Dazzle84]

They want £50m for him!

It's amazing when you realise he's 26 too, another one they make out is a 19 year old kid still making his way

 

[footballmanager]

good utility player, which means pep will play him for 50 matches next season

 

[JewelZee]

So am I but to be fair it would be a bit boring if there was no disagreement about the quality of potential incoming signings. I do trust our scouts though occassionally things don't work out.

Disagreement about quality is one thing, saying players Pep, Txiki, et al. are interested in are shit is another thing altogether. Its flapping in the utmost. Its comical in one sense and annoying as fuck on another.

 

[Complex Simplicity]

Love watching Kovacic. One of my Favourite non City players, like Moussa Dembele was when he played for Spurs. So technically gifted and press resistant.

Will go up a few levels with Pep's coaching influence.

 

[richards30]

Love watching Kovacic. One of my Favourite non City players, like Moussa Dembele was when he played for Spurs. So technically gifted and press resistant.

Will go up a few levels with Pep's coaching influence.

Your last line is exactly why it’s such a good move for a great price? Pep will improve him further and will allow Rodri to have a little bit more rest.

 

[Dribble]

View attachment 81469
Found this interesting from whoscored.
They rate his play for Croatia "much" then his Chelsea form over the past 18 months. For whatever that's worth.
If Chelsea somehow milk us for 40M on this, I would be shocked.
This fee should be no higher then 30-32M range.
I just have to trust Pep on this one, because I honestly don't see it.

I know we had an interest in him when Real wanted to loan him out & he ended up Chelsea, but I'm struggling to see the attraction too. \0/

I saw an earlier stat that he's played 10.1 line-breaking passes this season, marginally ahead of Rodders who's a CDM.

He strikes me as one of those Jordan Henderson all rounder types who's not a CDM, CAM nor a particularly creative midfield schemer either.

In Pep I trust, especially if we get Kovacic for a cheap price, but doesn't the rumoured price (£30m - £40m) & the apparent lack of competition for his signature say something?

I'm struggling to understand this one too...

 

[JewelZee]

It not about like for like its about quality
Replacing Sterling who was seriously in poor form for Grealish who has great ball retention was not a downgrade in my opinion. Fernandinho no matter how good he had been was showing signs of age, Getting Rodri was definitely not a downgrade, Rodri is definitely world class in his position.

Aguero and Haaland although completely different attributes both offered world class ability. Torres was a massive drop off compared to sane at his best.

For me Kovacic is a poor replacement for any of our midfield except for maybe Phillips. but still a massive drop off from the rest.

Massive is simply over the top...JMO

 

[SWPISHOME]

Reading through these pages, I really think people are underestimating how good Kovavic really is.

He's a class act.

 

[DeBlueLou]

Reading through these pages, I really think people are underestimating how good Kovavic really is.

He's a class act.

True. Massive signing. But i think the people being realistically sceptic are the ones who see him as a replacement for Gundo or Bernardo, which the lastest reports doesn't suggest.

 

[JamieTartt]

Sold. He’ll fit in like a glove and add some grit to our midfield.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Reading through these pages, I really think people are underestimating how good Kovavic really is.

He's a class act.

I'm honestly nervous, because I think he hit his peak as a footballer in the 2019-2020 season when he was the player of the year for Chelsea.
He just hasn't been the same player since. In my opinion.

I just don't see the value at 29 years old, when we're one of the biggest clubs in the world. There are so many great central midfielder options in world football today who one would think would run to play under Pep.
If he is a squad player then fine, but if he is expected to play big mintues next year then I'm concerned.

 

[DeBlueLou]

I'm honestly nervous, because I think he hit his peak as a footballer in the 2019-2020 season when he was the player of the year for Chelsea.
He just hasn't been the same player since. In my opinion.

I just don't see the value at 29 years old, when we're one of the biggest clubs in the world. There are so many great central midfielder options in world football today who one would think would run to play under Pep.
If he is a squad player then fine, but if he is expected to play big mintues next year then I'm concerned.

Which players?

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Potentially the ideal Gundogan replacement. Just doesn't score as many.

Haarland, Foden 'n Grealish will have to get their fingers out!