Welcome Mateo Kovacic | Signing confirmed on a four-year deal

[Crooked_rain]

He does look genuinely very happy.

Not happy enough! I'd be doing the worm across the floor if I got a move to here away from that shitshow Chelsea have become.

 

[Gray]

Gundo (out) - Kovacic (In)

Who else will be going and need replacing?

• Bernado
• Kyle
• Americ
• Rihad

 

[chickaroon]

I would love to see this side
View attachment 84747

That looks good to me.

 

[chickaroon]

I wanted us to sign this guy when he left Madrid. He is good on the ball, tough as nails, sees a pass and he is a winner. He will fit us like a glove. Can't wait to see him on the left of midfield.

 

[Manchester33]

This is just meant to be an analytical post on signing Kovacic. Obviously very happy he's a blue and will support him like any other player.

At £25m it seems almost 'risk-free'. For that price, we're getting a player who's been involved in one of the greatest squads in history (Madrid 2016-2018). The experience he adds to the squad/younger players will clearly be a benefit and he's still at a nice age where he has 5+ good years left in him.

I'm not convinced he's as good as his honours record suggests (for example, in his 4 UCL finals he only played around 30 minutes in total). Zidane used him as a sub late on in most games (preferring Kroos, Modric and Casemeiro). He doesn't score or assist that many (in 221 Chelsea appearances he scored 6 / in 109 Madrid appearances he scored 3).

Obviously, his role is more defensive, and seeing as Pep doesn't trust KP yet, it makes sense that Kovacic will offer Rodri more rest/rotation. However, N'Golo Kante has just signed in Saudi Arabia on a free transfer and was a significantly better CDM than Kovacic (but perhaps his age/injuries were a contributing factor). There were rumours about Kimmich too, who seems a more obvious choice for a Guardiola team.

Let's see how much Pep influences his performances going forward. I do think this is a good transfer but I'd like to see a proper Gundogan replacement (who's most comfortable breaking down a low-block and who contributes to attacking play) - I'm not convinced Rice is that player either - but what do I know... In Pep we trust!

 

[pudge]

I assume the creative team on social media just packed it in and thought they'd peaked when Grealish signed

 

[bluemystery]

His interview was class imo.

 

[trevorriley]

a pep player and a good player, he shouldnt take long to settle in.

glad we got him, next year we will be saying "how much did we get him for"

 

[Kinkybyname]

Kovačić, Kovačić, Kovačić is back,
Stones on his shoulder as a matter of fact,
Kovačić, Kovačić, cos he's better than you,
It's the way that he moves, forever a Blue... oh-oh-oh

 

[Kevin_Silva]

Great midfield player! Also has lots of experience, I think he will be an important part next season!.