Mateo Kovačić lifted more European hardware Wednesday night in Baku. After winning three straight Champions League titles with Real Madrid – granted, he was coming off the bench – Kovačić won the Europa League title with Chelsea, denying city rivals Arsenal a Champions League berth next season.
Kovačić got the start and played 76 minutes in the win. He was given a 7-grade as he “started sluggishly but soon improved, taking charge in midfield and making frequent bursts.” Kovačić could have easily been given two ‘hockey assists’ on the night as he started the initial play which led to two Chelsea goals.
Although Kovačić never scored a goal for Chelsea the entire season and never really cemented himself in the starting XI, at the moment, he may be staying at Stamford Bridge permanently if Real Madrid decide to sell him.
News out of the Spanish capital is saying that Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is not a huge fan of Kovačić and he will not be keeping his ‘other’ Croatian midfielder for the long run.
Kovačić is supposed to be Luka Modrić’s replacement in the Croatian midfield. Is Chelsea the best home for him?
Only if he can wear the #10 shirt.
I’ve watched a few CSKA games this season to keep an eye on vlasic. He plays either midfield 3. Like an 8. Or front 3 like a hazard. Or CAM or 10
Caleta car looks fat and slow
Give Benkovic a go very athletic looking
Yes I’d choose Benković over Ćaleta-Car. It’s close, and both are great young talents, but I feel he is a little more talented.
Btw, Brozović was also included in the Serie A Team of the Season based on average match rating. A very underrated player worldwide.
It’s a scary game but I have faith the kids gonna step up if given the chance
Vlasic potential game changer
Benkovic over caleta?
@Horvat
Push Vida to LB and put Benković in the center with Lovren. That’s probably the best lineup we can get with Rebić and Raka being out.
Along with Bale most likely being rusty, Wales did not call up Ben Davies of Tottenham. He’s probably their second best player behind Bale. Good news for us. He’s a LB, and hopefully Brekalo and Perišić will be able to expose their wingbacks. If Dalić allows our wing backs to push up on attack (he did a very good job with this in the World Cup) I feel like we will be so threatening on attack the entire game.
Seriously scared we will fail to win again 🙁
Wales will win with a big game from the Welsh Modric, Joe Allen. Just watch!
Vlasic has to be one of the most hungry young players who can make an impact we have right now
We need guys like Russian nhl players on the last year of their contract!
If Rakitic retires it might be time to inject Vlasic as our new #10.
I’m sure he will be much more impactful than Kovacic.
Kramaric
Perisic…Vlasic….Brekalo
……Brozovic..Modric
???…Vida..Lovren..Jedvaj
…. Livakovic
Brekalo is a great winger. He has great pace and dribbling, which is crucial. Hopefully he can put the ball into the net if he needs to. And yes, Vlašić is much better as a CAM. I wouldn’t play him on the wing, we already have Brekalo and Perišić. I hope Dalić starts Livaković.
Vlasic on the wing?
He’s better as the attacking midfielder (which is where he generally plays in Russia)
What about Brekalo on the wing?
Or are we sticking with the Brekalo at RB experiment?
I think perisic, kramaric, vlasic up top. Kovacic modric Broz in midfield. Don’t know about defence
I should hope not Maminjo!
😉
I don’t anyone is pro-Kalinic
Nikola and now Lovre too
well at least we don’t see the “expert” Zoric coming on here stating we should call Kalinic back. remember when he scored 2 goals this year vs a div 2 team…then all the pro-Hajduk/Kalinic jock sniffers came out for a tell-all on how he’s still useful!
Was it the third goal against arsenal
Kovacic pushed hard with a run leading to the penalty
We need him to start doing that again
Maybe if he was forward in the midfield and dalic gave him the green light to do so
Perisic and brekalo on wings? Kramaric striker?
Man without mandzukic and rebic we lose a lot of physical power
Where does Vlasic consistently play in Russia?
I like him with Brozo and modric behind for protection
With rebic potentially out
How does are forward formation play out?
Rebic is a big loss though. Can’t really replace what he brings, especially against a grimey Wales team.
This Wales game is critical.
If there is any time when Mateo Kovacic can prove that he belongs on this National Team, it is NOW.
I would still start Vlasic with Modric and Brozovic behind him for support, but Kovacic needs to be ready in case we need to change things up.
Rakitić being injured brings an opportunity to some of our younger guys.You never know maybe Brekalo or Vlasic will come up huge for us. Like I said before, Bale will be rusty and that will be good for our side. Wales is barely anything without Bale.
Kova played very good yesterday. So what if he didn’t score, at least we know that he did a lot in a very crucial game for his side. This could be his breakout game and hopefully next year will be his true breakout year.
@ Poglavnik
Maybe good and bad?
Good you are playing with the best .. bad you have little room to express yourself and consequently live within a rigid role while they roam free in the final third to work there magic.
Modrić had space to grow at Spurs.
Kovačić has been relegated to role player for too many years in his young career.
Coric is beneath role player to bench scrub.
Ante Coric is a baller and can’t even get on u21 squad?
These young players need PLAYING TIME.
Vlašić in CSKA put him back into flow.
I hope Vlašić tears Wales up.
Must be nice plaaying with Hazard and Ronaldo
I love Rakitic and I feel he has been underrated as a nogometaš .. BUT ..
Even if “healthy,” he would of sucked against Wales.
He is the renter mule at Barca.
His legs are shot.
He needs 2 months off and a new club.
Even then I wonder if he will ever come back to the repka?
One of our kids have to replace him.
I pray Dalić plays all the kids who are hungry to represent vs Wales.
Even Rebić is to seasoned to be hungry for a June match.
Wales runs.
They are quick and tough.
Bale may be in the mood as he has been crapped on my Madrid media.
We need 3 pts.
Look every player in the eye and if you don’t see it then leave him home.
Kovačić ??
If there was ever a match for Mateo to shine its Wales in Osijek.
If Mateo bums it up against Wales then he really should be cut going forward because he is too old to not provide leadership.
not looking good vs whales.
https://www.croatiaweek.com/ivan-rakitic-ante-rebic-ruled-out-of-wales-euro-qualifier/
Why point out he was coming off the bench at Madrid? Suck a dick.
I rate loftus cheek highly. Also Barkley is very good. But if I was sarri. I would make kovacic first choice
Kova should stay at Chelsea. He is Kante and jorginho combined
Nah
Serious rumors that Rakitic is done with NT for good
Kovačić played well yesterday.
Being on loan with a new Club dealing with Sarri ball struggles, I feel Kovačić came through down the stretch.
Curious to see how this all plays out for Kovačić?
Next year he needs to be in a spot where he is a leader in the midfield.
He seems to be a natural #8.
I hope he plays well against Wales and regains his aggressiveness with Croatia.
He has to realize that he needs to be aggressive and show top clubs his quality.
Wales match will be a showcase for many of our boys.
Mateo is wasting his time at Chelsea he needs to go to Italy and rejoin inter with Brozovic
Someone on some other thread said we would struggle without Rakitic I don’t think so
Ya sounds like he will stay in Chelsea after all
He got mixed reviews it seems by the fans and pundits but sounds like overall did fine
Let’s hope he is another one of those later maturing players
But one thing is for sure he has some serious hardware in the trophy case
Will prob end up going down as most championship winning player when he is finished
Correction: He was involved with ALL three of the initial goals. In each case he gave the last pass before the assist.
This was a really good performance from him. His confidence is improving.