🇭🇷 Mateo Kovacic

[OhForAGreavsie 6,075]

37 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Wee baldy turns 30 next season

give us Raphaël Varane and Ferland Mendy and he is theirs

As usual with your shopping list posts, I don't know some of the players you mention but I know enough to be fully on board with the two lines quoted above.

The club needs to start singing your favourite tune. Not only do we need to buy smart, but equally important, we need to sell smart too.

[manpe 10,861]

15 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

But how much Frank really rates him over others? Before Ajax he didn't start five games in a row. Even without Kante against Newcastle Barkley started deeper. Now without three midfielders he must play. Also in pre season Lamps indicate he sees RLC in that role. 

He was struggling with minor injuries, got a knock on international duty and wasn't risked to start against relegation fodder. Before he had Kante ahead of him, doesn't mean Lampard doesn't rate Kova, just means he rates Kante more.  I am sure Frank is loving his midfield options.

[nyikolajevics 2,700]

6 hours ago, !Hazard! said:

For some reason I have a feeling it will be Kante who's leaving. Real, PSG or Juve will make an offer Marina can't refuse

 

Kanté and Jorginho are 28. Mount and Gilmour are teenagers, Ruben and Kova are in their mid twenties. If we play this smart there will be room for everyone.

[Vytis33 1,272]

Still think he's been outstanding this year.  Doesn't do much that'll get in the box score as we say in the States but influences the game in a lot of other ways.  With the ball at his feet he's as good as anyone we've got.  He could actually stand to press the ball up the pitch more as talented as he is.  And he's playing full matches now where last year it seemed like he was a 60 minute player.  Glad we signed him.

[LAM09 7,056]

I've been most impressed by him thus far. Completely different beast under Lampard, just needs that long awaited goal. [emoji1]

[Jase 43,479]

6 hours ago, LAM09 said:

I've been most impressed by him thus far. Completely different beast under Lampard, just needs that long awaited goal.

I expect a perfect hat-trick when he does so.  

[Stats 7,142]

I have always rated him and was quite vocal last season, about despite his shortfalls, he is a very talented player. Good to see him replicate that on a more consistent basis and get the credit he deserves. If you look in hindsight, just imagine we did not take that offer to buy him permanently. We would be in a lot of bother, as Kante has had several injury problems this season. It was a no-brainer. I was shocked that several fans were against us buying him, when we were under a transfer ban.

[Johnnyeye 7,509]

Brilliant player, another great piece of business by the club in recent years.

[LAM09 7,056]

I have always rated him and was quite vocal last season, about despite his shortfalls, he is a very talented player. Good to see him replicate that on a more consistent basis and get the credit he deserves. If you look in hindsight, just imagine we did not take that offer to buy him permanently. We would be in a lot of bother, as Kante has had several injury problems this season. It was a no-brainer. I was shocked that several fans were against us buying him, when we were under a transfer ban.

People were against the price off his showings last season. As of now, it seems like great business.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

5 hours ago, Stats said:

I have always rated him and was quite vocal last season, about despite his shortfalls, he is a very talented player. Good to see him replicate that on a more consistent basis and get the credit he deserves. If you look in hindsight, just imagine we did not take that offer to buy him permanently. We would be in a lot of bother, as Kante has had several injury problems this season. It was a no-brainer. I was shocked that several fans were against us buying him, when we were under a transfer ban.

The ban gave us no choice, any sane fan would understand that. But his showings last season were so inconsistent that we surely would not have signed him without the ban. Now it does look a masterstroke with all the injuries. 40m was an absolute steal given how young he still is. Even if he does not add another dimension to his game like producing output as a technical DM together with Jorginho they can control most games pretty much like the Modric-Kroos connection. 

[Stats 7,142]

18 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

5 hours ago, Stats said:

I have always rated him and was quite vocal last season, about despite his shortfalls, he is a very talented player. Good to see him replicate that on a more consistent basis and get the credit he deserves. If you look in hindsight, just imagine we did not take that offer to buy him permanently. We would be in a lot of bother, as Kante has had several injury problems this season. It was a no-brainer. I was shocked that several fans were against us buying him, when we were under a transfer ban.

People were against the price off his showings last season. As of now, it seems like great business.

 

4 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

The ban gave us no choice, any sane fan would understand that. But his showings last season were so inconsistent that we surely would not have signed him without the ban. Now it does look a masterstroke with all the injuries. 40m was an absolute steal given how young he still is. Even if he does not add another dimension to his game like producing output as a technical DM together with Jorginho they can control most games pretty much like the Modric-Kroos connection. 

He was coming from Real Madrid and is young. It was a high but understandable price, especially with the ban too. And like I have always insisted, he was not awful last season. He done things well but was frustrating due to his lack of productivity in the final third.

[LAM09 7,056]

He was coming from Real Madrid and is young. It was a high but understandable price, especially with the ban too. And like I have always insisted, he was not awful last season. He done things well but was frustrating due to his lack of productivity in the final third.

Do you honestly think he would have been signed had the ban not been in effect?

[Stats 7,142]

4 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

17 minutes ago, Stats said:

He was coming from Real Madrid and is young. It was a high but understandable price, especially with the ban too. And like I have always insisted, he was not awful last season. He done things well but was frustrating due to his lack of productivity in the final third.

Do you honestly think he would have been signed had the ban not been in effect?

Probably. Because the market is so inflated and getting a player who is better than him would cost nearly double the price in this day and age of football. But, yes I think Lamps would have given the go ahead either way.

[LAM09 7,056]

4 minutes ago, Stats said:

Probably. Because the market is so inflated and getting a player who is better than him would cost nearly double the price in this day and age of football. But, yes I think Lamps would have given the go ahead either way.

Fair enough. Nice to see a straight answer, even though I disagree. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,382]

Lampard stayed he wanted him 

[Tomo 21,751]

42 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

The ban gave us no choice, any sane fan would understand that. But his showings last season were so inconsistent that we surely would not have signed him without the ban. Now it does look a masterstroke with all the injuries. 40m was an absolute steal given how young he still is. Even if he does not add another dimension to his game like producing output as a technical DM together with Jorginho they can control most games pretty much like the Modric-Kroos connection. 

His class was clear last year but we played him in a position final 3rd end product is needed which led to people being frustrated with him because he can't produce on that part of the game at even an average level.

For me it was pretty clear he would thrive if played in a more appropriate position for his qualities, as has shown.

[Clockwork 1,794]

Watching jorginho and Kovacic the last two games have been a pleasure; Kovacic looking like Iniesta with his dribbling and cut through passes. 

[Special Juan 28,141]

That turn and drag v Burnley was simply sublime.

[manpe 10,861]

On 27/10/2019 at 5:34 PM, Tomo said:

His class was clear last year but we played him in a position final 3rd end product is needed which led to people being frustrated with him because he can't produce on that part of the game at even an average level.

For me it was pretty clear he would thrive if played in a more appropriate position for his qualities, as has shown.

It does look like Sarri's 4-3-3 didn't suit him. That, plus he's had time to adapt and obviously Frank is a brilliant coach who improves his players. 

[Atomiswave 6,117]

I found him crap last season, he was way off thanks to tactics and motivation. Comparing this Kova to last season is gigantic. 40m? Thats a fucking steal imo.....Frank has totally ascended him and still not at his peak years either. Him and Jorgo has been a revelation so far under Lamps and with Kante back soon we can and will dominate any midfield.