Mateo Kovacic

[Gumzy97]

 

[SWP's back]

Unless he's a Gundo replacement, I'm genuinely struggling to understand what he brings to the table

I'm not dissing the signing, I'm just can't get my head around it. If he was 25/26 maybe it would make more sense to me

He’s a few months older than Dinho was when he signed and Dinho stayed 9 years.

Modern players aren’t done by 32 anymore.

 

[Bigga]

Again, our perceptions of the situation couldn't be further apart. To avoid risk of drawing this out and further derailing the thread, we'll just have to agree to disagree for now.

Agreed.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I could see him and Phil complimenting each other really well. A bit like how David and Kev used to.

 

[Match Fixer]

Does anyone think Rodri will occupy Gundogs place, he has the finese and ey for goal?

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

Kalvin Phillips, age 27 £42m : 4 starts 18 sub apps

Rico Lewis, age 18 : 16 starts, 7 sub apps

 

[Gremlin]

Kalvin Phillips, age 27 £42m : 4 starts 18 sub apps

Rico Lewis, age 18 : 16 starts, 7 sub apps

Different players, different positions so I'm not sure the comparison is valid (and yes, I know Rico often steps up into midfield when we are in an attacking phase).

 

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

Ive a feeling this guy is gonna get a lot of assists next season

 

[Blue warrior]

Chelsea fans frustration comes from Kovacic being in the attacking areas he doesn’t have much end product in terms of goals/assists he appears to be a better fit further back but a bit of pep Magic and our movement might unleash him.

 

[Matt the Giant]

Does anyone think Rodri will occupy Gundogs place, he has the finese and ey for goal?

Rodri is the best player in the world in his position and should absolutely stay there.
It's immediately noticable when he's not playing, or playing in a different position, how we are weakened.

 

[TP2707]

Phillips ? Maximum Phillips can expect is to be a squad player and getting minutes to prove himself, rather than regular role and replacing someone like Gundo

Obviously replacing someone like Gundo isn't realistic at this point - but I did hope we'd start bringing him through a little more next season. By the sounds of it he might not even be here then

 

[cordonbleu]

Chelsea fans frustration comes from Kovacic being in the attacking areas he doesn’t have much end product in terms of goals/assists he appears to be a better fit further back but a bit of pep Magic and our movement might unleash him.

I agree, it's puzzling. He should be used as a CM, not in a creative playmaking role. If it is true, then I think he is underwhelming as an attacking mid.

 

[Gumzy97]

Gundo and Kovacic stats side by side, if he is the Gundo replacement then he's the closest player there is to gundo apart from goals and assists

 

[DeBlueLou]

Gundo and Kovacic stats side by side, if he is the Gundo replacement then he's the closest player there is to gundo apart from goals and assists

Really impressed by these stats by Kovacic.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Gundo and Kovacic stats side by side, if he is the Gundo replacement then he's the closest player there is to gundo apart from goals and assists

I think he has it in his locker to play higher up as well, just hasnt been since Inter. Dont think he'll put up gundo numbers but could easy hit 10-15 from the 8s we play.

 

[SSBlue]

Chelsea fans seem to think Kovacic "downed tools" in the last few months ... but I guess you can say that about the majority of their first team.

Always looked impressive for Croatia.

Ok for people to compare goals/assist stats, but how many would Gundo have if he'd spent the last 4-5 years playing for Chelsea? This City team brings out the best in players - if they want it.

 

[Cozmo Bozo]

I think he has it in his locker to play higher up as well, just hasnt been since Inter. Dont think he'll put up gundo numbers but could easy hit 10-15 from the 8s we play.

Easily 10-15? Gundogan has managed more than 8 league goals only once in his career. If Kovacic manages 5 league goals, it would be an amazing feat! Here are his past seasons:

Serie A:
0 in 13
0 in 32
5 in 35
La Liga:
0 in 25
1 in 27
0 in 21
Prem:
0 in 32
1 in 31
0 in 27
2 in 25
1 in 27

 

[RayCTID]

Bit of Gundo's style of play about him but just like Grealish not the impressive creative stats (or goalscoring ones either) but in the end that signing hasn't turned out badly

 

[paska]

I think he is a good addition but slightly worried that he is skulking around in the womens changing room.

With a huge… smile on his face

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Easily 10-15? Gundogan has managed more than 8 league goals only once in his career. If Kovacic manages 5 league goals, it would be an amazing feat! Here are his past seasons:

Serie A:
0 in 13
0 in 32
5 in 35
La Liga:
0 in 25
1 in 27
0 in 21
Prem:
0 in 32
1 in 31
0 in 27
2 in 25
1 in 27

in all comps, I think 10+ should be an easy target from him from the 8s tbh - not really seen him play as high up as we do since his was at Inter and he bagged 13 g/a in his season there.

Looking at his skillset and how Gundo grew into the goal scoring here after coming from a similar role at Dortmund i think he should and can be getting 10-15 over all comps. Prob more hope and faith on my part, always liked Kova