According to a report from Sky Sports, Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has finalized his transfer to Premier League champions Manchester City in a £30 million deal. After spending the past five years at Stamford Bridge following his move from Real Madrid in 2018, the Croatian midfielder will now join the ranks of of the Mancunian giants.
Notably, Kovacic enjoyed success at Chelsea, securing four trophies with the club, including a victory over City in the 2021 Champions League final. The initial transfer fee stands at £25 million, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons.
Kovacic’s Struggling Campaign At Chelsea Last Season
Kovacic has faced challenges at Stamford Bridge this season, struggling to consistently perform in the heart of Chelsea’s midfield. The 29-year-old Croatian midfielder has scored two goals and provided two assists in 37 appearances for the club across various competitions.
Kovacic’s overall performance has been underwhelming, evident from his average of 1.3 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 0.6 clearances, 0.9 shots, 0.9 key passes, and 0.7 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League. However, he has shown accuracy in his passing game, completing 86% of his attempted passes in the top-flight competition, according to statistics from Whoscored.
What Will He Bring To Manchester City?
Kovacic is a technically gifted midfielder known for his excellent ball control and passing abilities. He can help Manchester City maintain possession and control the tempo of the game from midfield. This perfectly fits in with Pep Guardiola’s style of play at the Etihad Stadium.
The Croatian possesses excellent vision and creativity, which allows him to spot and execute incisive passes. His ability to unlock defences and create scoring opportunities for his teammates can enhance City’s attacking play.
He would make an excellent partnership with Rodri in the holding midfield positions controlling the game in the middle of the park and allowing Guardiola with more tactical options to change his setup accordingly.
Having won multiple trophies with Chelsea and Real Madrid, including the Champions League, Kovacic will bring valuable experience and a winning mentality to Man City. His presence can positively influence the team’s performance in big matches and high-pressure situations as they defend their titles next season. Hence, the Sky Blues have done well to acquire his services and add more depth to their midfield department.
