The sheer number of unsuccessful signings that Premier League outfit Chelsea have made over the years is more than enough to make the fans question every new transfer link. While names like Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o ended up serving certain purposes, other players like Danny Drinkwater and Papy Djilobodji are part of a whole different story altogether.
Over the last couple of years though, the Chelsea recruitment teams seem to have stepped up their game with the shrewd acquisitions of Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic and most recently, Ajax’s Moroccan sensation Hakim Ziyech. Of the three stars mentioned above, the one that has already had the most unbelievable of impact is former Real Madrid ace and Croatian World Cup representative Mateo Kovacic.
An Analysis Of Mateo Kovacic’s Season At Chelsea And What To Expect From Him
How Did Mateo Kovacic First Rise To Fame?
Born in Austria, the Croatian international began his playing career with a couple of local clubs before eventually finding his way to to the Dinamo Zagreb youth system. Having come through the ranks and making it into the first-team in 2010, the midfielder became one of the most important features of the Zagreb setup. His overall quality is what prompted Inter Milan to move for his services in 2013.
A little over two years at the San Siro was enough to convince Real Madrid to sign the talented Croatian. After spending three years at Real Madrid where he was never really given a regular place in the side, Kovacic picked the opportunity to find a loan move to Stamford Bridge in 2018. After this, he went on to sign permanently at Chelsea at the end of the season.
What Has Life At Chelsea Been Like For Kovacic?
The Croatian came into the Chelsea side when Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri was at the helm, meaning that the former Inter Milan man was asked to do a lot of things he didn’t enjoy doing in the middle of the park. He was forced to track back rigorously, while most of his attacking influence was just limited to forward passes. It’s safe to say that the midfielder looked bang average at best at the end of last season.
Under Frank Lampard this time around though, having now signed permanently, the Croatian has begun to look like a player reborn. Arguably the man who deserves Chelsea’s player of the year award, Kovacic has been nothing short of magnificent in the midfield area. His displays alongside Jorginho have been received exceptionally well by Chelsea fans who didn’t feel N’Golo Kante’s absence quite as much as they usually would have.
What Does Kovacic Add To This Chelsea Team?
The former Real Madrid man is an excellent playmaker who has an eye for some sharp and threaded passes into space. The Croatian has recently begun to add dribbling to his game too, and it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to say that he’s one of the best midfield dribblers in the league, if not the best.
Capable of quite simply walking past people with his control and composure, it must be conceded that signing him from Madrid has been an absolute steal. He even opened his account for the Blues this season after scoring two brilliant goals – one in the league and one in Europe.
What To Expect From Kovacic In The Years To Come?
The Croatian has been the Blues’ most influential midfield presence without a doubt this season, and this is despite the fact that Italian regista Jorginho is also part of the same squad. Kovacic has been the Blues’ driving force for the entirety of the campaign, and his absence created a visible negative impact on the team. Probably the most naturally gifted midfielder in this Chelsea squad, Frank Lampard should be thankful for having Kovacic in the side, and by making a move to West London, the midfielder has now rekindled his professional career as well.
