Mateo Kovačić

Rate the player

  • 2 - Useless. Adds nothing of value, detrimental to the team when on the pitch

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rfU

Allenatore
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Agree with the others but I wouldn't say defending is one of his strengths at all. He puts in a nice slide tackle here and there but he doesn't run much. I've watched one Chelsea match this season but I did see a good amount of him when he was in Madrid. He doesn't track back enough and he doesn't cover a defensive zone very effectively IMO.
then why ZZ task him with marking messi :chan: why not kroos or casemiro?

In my eyes, he's a massive gamble
Tonali costs about the same, hasnt played a minute of serie a football, is a milanista, and we have a very poor record with youngsters... Yet Kova is the risk :chan:

We need a replacement for Brozo (I dare say someone who will compete with him for a first team place) and someone to play alongside him in a 2 pivot midfield. Kova makes the most sense here without over complicating things. And he's a Croat lol
 

n4l

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Meh on kova. I mean, he can’t even beat Ross Barkley for a starting spot. And that’s with a preferred midfield role of being a 2-way CM with less offensive responsibility, in a very good possession based system, with a coach who is good at coaching that system, with a coach who wanted him, and a coach who has been giving him tons of opportunity to excel.

Unless it’s a free loan with full wages paid by Real, it’s a pass on Kova. He’s that player who flatters to impress (in his case, dribbling ability) but just can’t put it all together and actually impress.
 

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I love how people are questioning whether he can start in our garbage midfield that can't put 2 passes together and got found out technically by 2nd rate European teams.
 

Wallace

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then why ZZ task him with marking messi :chan: why not kroos or casemiro?

Tonali costs about the same, hasnt played a minute of serie a football, is a milanista, and we have a very poor record with youngsters... Yet Kova is the risk :chan:

We need a replacement for Brozo (I dare say someone who will compete with him for a first team place) and someone to play alongside him in a 2 pivot midfield. Kova makes the most sense here without over complicating things. And he's a Croat lol

You need to stop thinking about that one specific case.

First of all, man marking and zonal marking is different, unless he is assigned to man mark someone every game, otherwise its useless to have him when we need him to cover the back in zones.

Secondly, we need a general solution in midfield and not a special solution in man marking Messi. If we are playing 38 games against Barca next season, it might make sense (and that's a stretch because this isn't a proven solution from a pool of large number of games).
 

rfU

Allenatore
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Meh on kova. I mean, he can’t even beat Ross Barkley for a starting spot.
that's not true. And it's been said time and time again that's not Kovas preferred role. In the video it said Kova could be 1v1 with the keeper and still pass it side ways. Kova doesn't belong in the final 3rd that's not his game. Reason he plays there instead of Barkley (who is his sub) is because he's not careless in possession.

Further to that his confidence has been shot to shit (as is Barkleys and 80% of Chelsea squad), he doesn't do those mazy runs in midfield which he used to do even at Real.

You need to stop thinking about that one specific case.
Point being, by the time you're called on to mark one of the goat forwards, to say that Kova is lazy and doesnt track back is just ridiculous. Maybe Tonali and Sensi would do a better job marking Messi, I dunno, but do you want to take that risk when Kova showed he was adequate at it? I'm tired of taking gambles (dalbert, jmario, gabigol)because more often than not they flop and we end up with garbage players we cant even give away. We need a partner/replacement for Brozovic who we know will 80-90% succeed in the role. Can't think of anyone better.
 

Ziyad

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He could be inserted in the deal for Icardi by Real Madrid. I would refuse and get all cash. We can do better with the cash and hopefully Moratta making the shots.
 

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then why ZZ task him with marking messi :chan: why not kroos or casemiro?

Tonali costs about the same, hasnt played a minute of serie a football, is a milanista, and we have a very poor record with youngsters... Yet Kova is the risk :chan:

We need a replacement for Brozo (I dare say someone who will compete with him for a first team place) and someone to play alongside him in a 2 pivot midfield. Kova makes the most sense here without over complicating things. And he's a Croat lol

What does Tonali have to do with anything I said. I didn't mention Tonali anywhere.

And as Wallace said, Kovacic marking Messi once is hardly consistent, compelling evidence of a defensively secure or defensively inclined player.

Why do we need a replacement for Brozovic? By and large, I'd say he's been close to world class for a full year. I don't agree at all that he should play alongside Kovacic in a double pivot. Perhaps they could coexist in a 433, but not in our 4231. *Disclaimer: even though the difference can be negligible, in Spalletti's case, we've seen two distinctly different playing styles when playing the 4231 compared to a 433.
 
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rfU

Allenatore
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What does Tonali have to do with anything I said. I didn't mention Tonali anywhere.
I didn't quote you tho.

And as Wallace said, Kovacic marking Messi once is hardly consistent, compelling evidence of a defensively secure or defensively inclined player.
No it doesn't, but you don't assign someone who "doesn't track back enough" and "doesn't cover a defensive zone very effectively" to mark the GOAT of our era. You do the opposite of that.

Why do we need a replacement for Brozovic? By and large, I'd say he's been close to world class for a full year.
So we can rest Brozovic and have him fully fit for big games. Plus competition for places is good. Not everyone is ultracompetitive like CR7

I don't agree at all that he should play alongside Kovacic in a double pivot. Perhaps they could coexist in a 433, but not in our 4231.
Why do you say this? Destroyer mids are being phased out, coaches want ball players who can transition from defense to attack. Kova is competent at pressing, tackling, positioning, and has a high work rate. Watch his runs from deep in youtube. He's a counter attack player. His mazy running on the ball from deep would make us deadly on the counter. Do note we don't have a single player who is good at runing with the ball from deep, especially in central areas.

Against stronger teams where we don't have the quality to boss possession, we just sit deep, tight, wait for a mistake courtesy from our hard pressing (again Kova) and Kova transitions the ball to attack, gives the ball to our attacking players, and provided no major fucks up, GOAL. That's how i see it anyway.
 

wera

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Would rather want more of an
physical presence than Kovačić. If we are to play either Bro/Gags or Bro/Kova, the second one is too lightweight.

There are better players out there, shame City got Gundogan already.
 

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Would rather want more of an
physical presence than Kovačić. If we are to play either Bro/Gags or Bro/Kova, the second one is too lightweight.

There are better players out there, shame City got Gundogan already.

Nainggolan should play deeper, next to Brozovic. Get a creative midfielder in front of them or if we switch formation, see other possibilities. If it's 4-4-2, we don't need much, if it's 4-3-3 get someone with Rafinha traits.
 

wera

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I've been advocating that, but truthfully, I don't think Nainggolan has the legs to be next to Brozo. I don't he even wants to play there?

At this moment he is basically better suited as a false AM than a runner in the midfield.
 

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Nainggolan should play deeper, next to Brozovic. Get a creative midfielder in front of them or if we switch formation, see other possibilities. If it's 4-4-2, we don't need much, if it's 4-3-3 get someone with Rafinha traits.

Every game I watch with Nainggolan playing I start thinking in this direction.
 

rfU

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He hasn't ruled out the possibility of leaving City this summer.
One of my favorite mids this decade. City got him for a bargain. Been plagued with injuries for the longest time tho.
 

M.Adnan

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I'd only welcome him if he's coming on loan (no obligation) or on big discount (20m and less), and I also don't want him as a key or first team player here (maybe to replace Mario).

Anything other than the above, I'll pass.
 

rfU

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https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/chelsea-mateo-kovacic-most-pointless-player-premier-league

Damn. Harsh criticism. Looks like hes lost his spot to Loftus Cheek and remains Jorginhos understudy

tenor.gif
 

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I'd only welcome him if he's coming on loan (no obligation) or on big discount (20m and less), and I also don't want him as a key or first team player here (maybe to replace Mario).

Anything other than the above, I'll pass.

Please stop fucking pretending like our midfield is too good for Kovacic. These knuckleheads can't put two passes together and have technical ability of a one legged hobo.

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/chelsea-mateo-kovacic-most-pointless-player-premier-league

Damn. Harsh criticism. Looks like hes lost his spot to Loftus Cheek and remains Jorginhos understudy

tenor.gif

What is the point of this article? Yes, he doesn't get many assists. He's a CM. His job is distribution. Loftus Cheek starting for 2-3 games is not "losing the spot". If a player is on form you start him.

EPL is obsessed with goal scoring CMs and anything else is "pointless". Lampard/Gerard were good players but I'd rather Xavi over both of them combined.
 

rfU

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What is the point of this article? Yes, he doesn't get many assists. He's a CM. His job is distribution. Loftus Cheek starting for 2-3 games is not "losing the spot". If a player is on form you start him.
It's not a matter of form, Loftus is a better fit for the role. Kova is in a midfield with Kante and Jorginho, neither of the two will contribute much offensively (although Kante has improved this part of his game) therefore the onus, IMO unfairly, is on Kova.
Anyway, good news is we can get quality backup for Brozovic for a good bargain price.
 

vex

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Did they at least figure out which position fits him the best, i reckon whoever figures that out should get nobel prize or some shit. Thats the biggest mistake people make when they watch him...if only we could find out where he feels the most comfortable on the pitch, then he can truly shine....Talented player, but thats about it.
 

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It's simple.

He's not really outstanding in any of the attacking quality nor defending quality, so he cannot really play any of the AM or single pivot DM spots (lack of passing range is another reason) . Similarly for a two way box to box CM who is expected to make impacting attacking runs.

By method of elimination there's really only a passive transitory CM being carried by the rest of the team role that is the best for him.

Oh, and the bench.

Now hand over the nobel prize.

This is actually a very similar case to Mario.
 
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