Mateo Kovačić

[thoriq_r9]

This year should be the time when he can finally breakthrough from a talented midfielder to a proper top player. He's never gotten the opportunity to be taught by an attack-minded, tactically competent coach like Sarri. I believe he can bring out the best of Kovacic and help a thing or two regarding his tactical development, which seems to be behind for a few years. Having Mazzarri, Mancini, Benitez for a bit, then Zidane (successful manager no doubt, but not one that develops talents), might have hindered his progress.

 

[rfU]

This year should be the time when he can finally breakthrough from a talented midfielder to a proper top player. He's never gotten the opportunity to be taught by an attack-minded, tactically competent coach like Sarri. I believe he can bring out the best of Kovacic and help a thing or two regarding his tactical development, which seems to be behind for a few years. Having Mazzarri, Mancini, Benitez for a bit, then Zidane (successful manager no doubt, but not one that develops talents), might have hindered his progress.

I still see him as DLP just needs to improve his vision and long passing. Wasn't that always his preferred position? Guess he needs to figure that out first.

 

[Pajo]

EPL works for him, i've been saying that for ages.

His best trait is his runs with the ball at his feet, he has nice acceleration and pace and he is good dribbler. Perfect to succeed in direct league like EPL where there is not much tactical awareness needed.

 

[Bluenine]

He had a good game, but I don't regret Inter's decision to sell him. We got good money for him, and putting things in perspective he has scored 1 goal and 8 assists in 80 league games (over 4000 minutes of play) since he left Inter. Whatever way you see it, his end product is still lacking.

The only reason why I miss him a bit is because we are short in the midfield. If we had bought another top midfielder this summer, I wouldn't miss Kova at all.

 

[Batman]

Yeah we got good money that was literally spent on one player, which is Kondogbia, who flopped hard and got sold with 10m loss within two years.

 

[PHM1605]

Yeah we got good money that was literally spent on one player, which is Kondogbia, who flopped hard and got sold with 10m loss within two years.

And don't forget Kova is whom we "trade" Coutinho for. Among the three, Cou, Kova, Kdog, we choose the "best" one for our destroyer fetish

 

[wera]

Not staying at Real is the best thing he could've done.

 

[rfU]

Not appreciated by Chelsea fans. We should definitely go for him.

 

[Alex de Large]

ive read madrid wants isco and kovacic for hazard

 

[M.Adnan]

I would've liked to get Kovacic when our ambition was trying to climb from 9th to 4th place. Our next season's objective should be challenging for Scudetto, so no to Kovacic or anyone in his category. We should be looking to massively upgrade our midfield, and Kovacic is not the answer unless as a rotation/back up with a huge discount.

 

[qb4ever_2k]

What happened? I thought he had a great start at Chelsea.

 

[Pajo]

Decent first few games and then he went into his "head down and dribble everyone" mode. Statistically I suppose he isn't bad (havent checked it), since Sarri plays possession football, and he like everyone else in Chelsea's midfield has high percentage of passes, and Kova is type of player Sarri loves. Most back passes tho. Loftus Cheek and Barkley have both been better, despite playing less and have limited playing time due to injuries.

 

[Gane]

I dont agree, he's still starting games, assisted in the last game, was one of the best against Brighton, the main problem is he doesnt know how to score, in that matter i would compare him to JMario, weak when in front of the goal, btw you cant forget he didnt even go through preseason with Chelsea. I believe Sarri is gonna buy him next summer.

 

[Pajo]

I dont agree, he's still starting games, assisted in the last game, was one of the best against Brighton, the main problem is he doesnt know how to score, in that matter i would compare him to JMario, weak when in front of the goal, btw you cant forget he didnt even go through preseason with Chelsea. I believe Sarri is gonna buy him next summer.

He is starting because there is no other player in Chelsea of his type. Fabregas comes to mind, but the guy is long finished. Kova has been mediocre at best. If Sarri doesn't find better replacement he may buy him for cheap, but i doubt he would be long term solution for Chelsea. If Chelsea changes coach who doesn't play possession football, he will be gone in an instant.

 

[Wallace]

That would be some Inter level stuff, get a possession coach and a bunch of technical midfielders then fire the coach and get a counter based coach and exchange all technical midfielders with physical midfielders.

 

[Candreva Crosses]

ive read madrid wants isco and kovacic for hazard

They can get Candreva for Isco

 

[rfU]

Decent first few games and then he went into his "head down and dribble everyone" mode. Statistically I suppose he isn't bad (havent checked it), since Sarri plays possession football, and he like everyone else in Chelsea's midfield has high percentage of passes, and Kova is type of player Sarri loves. Most back passes tho. Loftus Cheek and Barkley have both been better, despite playing less and have limited playing time due to injuries.

This is incorrect. Kova has been great, the problem is that Sarri is playing 3 dmfs in midfield with kante and jorgihno with kova expected to provide the attacking threat which is not his game. Otherwise he keeps the Chelsea midfield ticking, watch the man city game for example, soon as he's subbed Chelsea lost control of the midfield. He's still coming of age, personally I think he should be playing where jorginho is playing, deep lying, that's where he thrives best. As for Loftus and Barkley, their technique isn't as good (Kova is one of the best under the press) and they lose a lot of possession . Thats why they don't play. But they're more adventurous/take more risks that Kova. But Kova plays Sarri ball. If we sign him we could play higher up the pitch without the defence having to worry about a counter attack. Brozo is our best possession player and with his brain farts that should worry all of you.

 

[Pajo]

This is incorrect. Kova has been great, the problem is that Sarri is playing 3 dmfs in midfield with kante and jorgihno with kova expected to provide the attacking threat which is not his game. Otherwise he keeps the Chelsea midfield ticking, watch the man city game for example, soon as he's subbed Chelsea lost control of the midfield. He's still coming of age, personally I think he should be playing where jorginho is playing, deep lying, that's where he thrives best. As for Loftus and Barkley, their technique isn't as good (Kova is one of the best under the press) and they lose a lot of possession . Thats why they don't play. But they're more adventurous/take more risks that Kova. But Kova plays Sarri ball. If we sign him we could play higher up the pitch without the defence having to worry about a counter attack. Brozo is our best possession player and with his brain farts that should worry all of you.

Well i did say, he is type of player Sarri wants and likes. There is no better player of his type in Chelsea, hence he is important to them. I won't agree about the "he is great". He is not, whether his position or role, or himself, it doesnt matter. If I compare him to Barkley, except close ball control, he has nothing on him. Barkley is better passer (delivers better final balls), is stronger, has better shot and better vision. Thing is, as you said, Barkley is not someone to hold the ball under pressure, while that is Kova's biggest strength, and that's why Kova is preferred.

It depends on the coach idea i guess.

 

[rfU]

I won't agree about the "he is great". He is not, whether his position or role, or himself, it doesnt matter. If I compare him to Barkley, except close ball control, he has nothing on him. Barkley is better passer (delivers better final balls), is stronger, has better shot and better vision.

on that basis you could say Barkley is better than Kante too. If anything Kante should be dropped, Kova can match his work rate and play his role pretty effevtively.

But two things Kova has over Barkley any day of the week: consistency and decision making. Any chelsea will tell you they would prefer Kova for big games and Barkley against midtable clubs. Another thing is transition from defence to attack, Kova is the best at that right now in the Chelsea midfield. Also he covers for Alonso which no one else aside from Kante can do.

Kova simply brings balance to the midfield like no other Chelsea mid right now. Is he worth 60-70 mil that's debatable I personally wouldn't pay that much for him.

 

[Pajo]

on that basis you could say Barkley is better than Kante too. If anything Kante should be dropped, Kova can match his work rate and play his role pretty effevtively.

Different roles, different players. Of course Kova and Barkley are different too but occupy the same position, unlike Kante who is defensive beast. You are overrating Kovas defensive abilities, he is nowhere near Kante. Not talking about workrate, but tactical awareness, tackling, positioning and anticipation. Kante is world class at it.

But two things Kova has over Barkley any day of the week: consistency and decision making. Any chelsea will tell you they would prefer Kova for big games and Barkley against midtable clubs. Another thing is transition from defence to attack, Kova is the best at that right now in the Chelsea midfield. Also he covers for Alonso which no one else aside from Kante can do.

I would agree on this. Barkley can be a beast for two games and do a fuck all in the next three. Kova is good at transition as he is fairly fast and has great dribbling, and is consistent at it.

Kova simply brings balance to the midfield like no other Chelsea mid right now. Is he worth 60-70 mil that's debatable I personally wouldn't pay that much for him.

Yes. that's why he plays, he is type of Sarri player, he needs him. That doesn't mean he is doing that good, but he has no good replacement in Chelsea. As for the price, Kova is 30 mils TOPS player, not more.