Mateo Kovacic

[Matt the Giant]

I think he is a very good player who will undoubtedly become a lot better, thanks to coaching from our management and for once being surrounded be really good players on a daily basis.

He would also offer a bit of grit and steel (quite often seen in Slavic players, tough lads), something we obviously do not rely on in the way we play, but sometimes I've felt it would be nice to have a hard man in the middle.
And do not underestimate his range of passing, accurate both short and long, has a good eye for openings and runs.

In no way a marquee signing, but still a very very good one.

 

[DeBlueLou]

This signing both makes a lot of sense and doesn't

Given full back links are basically non-existant, I think it's fair to say that this formation is here to stay

If it is, which it should, Kovacic is likely going to play in the 8's behind Haaland, as he's inexperienced out wide for Bernardo/Grealish and he's not defensive enough to cover Rodri/Stones pivot that allows us to play without an extra defender

He's a perfect Pep player in he's very press resistant and can dictate tempo, but he lacks so much in the final 3rd

He's far from a Gundogan replacement, who is exceptional in the final 3rd

Pretty safe at £30mil but he will be a squad player not a starter imo

Well, Gundo is extending so you don’t have to worry. As reported he’s here to add depth

 

[Tony - MCFC]

This signing both makes a lot of sense and doesn't

Given full back links are basically non-existant, I think it's fair to say that this formation is here to stay

If it is, which it should, Kovacic is likely going to play in the 8's behind Haaland, as he's inexperienced out wide for Bernardo/Grealish and he's not defensive enough to cover Rodri/Stones pivot that allows us to play without an extra defender

He's a perfect Pep player in he's very press resistant and can dictate tempo, but he lacks so much in the final 3rd

He's far from a Gundogan replacement, who is exceptional in the final 3rd

Pretty safe at £30mil but he will be a squad player not a starter imo

I don’t think he’d be a replacement for Gundo, more likely Bern if anyone. Media say it’s a depth signing which I hope is right but not convinced.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

Would this be like a Fernandhino signing? At a similar age to when we signed Fernandhino and a midfield toughie.

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Would this be like a Fernandhino signing? At a similar age to when we signed Fernandhino and a midfield toughie.

Not sure about that tbf he's very good on the ball but wouldn't class him as a midfield toughie.

 

[DeBlueLou]

It's gone very quiet on this one ;)

 

[richards30]

It's gone very quiet on this one ;)

I imagine it’s done mate to be honest

 

[Tony - MCFC]

I imagine it’s done mate to be honest

A fee to be agreed yet I believe, it’ll all sort it self out soon, both teams want it and the player also.
I can’t imagine any news ‘officially’ coming out about this before the CL final.
Like with Gundo, he’s staying, but they won’t want any focus away from CL this week.

 

[Fred_Quimby]

Yeah if City can keep Gundo and/or Bernardo, McAtee is probably their successor next summer. I just think if McAtee is going to play for the best team in the world, he needs a lot more gametime and experience.

A bit like Foden did then?

 

[richards30]

A fee to be agreed yet I believe, it’ll all sort it self out soon, both teams want it and the player also.
I can’t imagine any news ‘officially’ coming out about this before the CL final.
Like with Gundo, he’s staying, but they won’t want any focus away from CL this week.

Shouldn’t be hard to finalize though mate, stuff always going on in the background