Kovacic

He's been absolutely inconsequential wheever I've watched you this season.

I'd send him back unless none of your returning loaness are cut out for his position. Keeping him on would involve the risk of him keeping a more promising youngster out.

Players you already hold the registration for ie Kovacic and Higuain can be bought, the ban only stops you obtaining new registrations.

As for Kovacic, he's been quite a let down following a similarly poor spell at Madrid.

He's neat and tidy with no substance.

He can cover all 3 positions in midfield which is a bonus but Madrid will use him as part of the Hazard deal so we should stay away if that's the case.

Think Kovacic has had his better games of late though playing in the RCM position. He's not much use in the LCM position as offensively he offers next to nothing.

I'm convinced by him as a player but not as one for us going forward with Sarri. He's pretty much lived up to my expectations tbh, I didn't see a three man midfield of Jorginho-Kante-Kovacic working & as the season went on struggled to see where he naturally fits into Sarri's system.

He should have a decent career if he gets his move right this summer, but that move isn't us. Unless we sack Sarri, then depending who the replacement is he might surprise a few people if we do buy him.

It's not so much Kovacic the individual but rather how he knits together with other midfield.

For me is fine in the Kante role playing with RLC and Jorginho and in the Jorginho role playing with RLC and Kante.

But not playing with Kante and Jorginho.I would sign him,he will allow Sarri to rotate his two key midfielders.

The first time I saw him, I thought we'd unearthed an absolute gem. He seemed to have an immediate understanding with Hazard, and I thought he'd be perfect alongside Jorginho and Kante in midfield. But like everyone else here, I soon realized that he flatters to deceive. Looks neat and tidy, but he basically shuttles the ball from Jorginho to Hazard on one side - or from Jorginho to Pedro on the other. Or does a poor job of replacing Jorginho when we need someone else in the CDM role. I don't think he's physical enough for the premier league either, which is surprising considering his stocky stature.

He's not good enough - but unfortunately, I think we may be forced to sign him if he is the ONLY midfield players we are able to sign this year. Personally, I'd prefer to take our chances without him - but I suspect Sarri will want him as an option, rather than nobody. With any luck, RLC, Jorginho and Kante can all stay fit next season, and he won't need to be used as much.

comment by Bov (U6696)
posted 9 hours, 45 minutes ago
Not convinced. Rumours that R Madrid want £40m for him should deter us from touching him. The upside of the transfer ban is it stops our board being mugged off. Again.
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Agree with this. You do get left with the impression (rightly or wrongly) that they are desperate to try to get mugged off again.

Technically he’s very good. He doesn’t a bad attribute, he can dribble, he can pass, he can press and he can tackle. But he doesn’t do any of those things to a high enough standard to say - ‘that’s what he brings to the team’.

He’s struggled to find a home in his career and its obvious to see why - he just doesn't have the ability to take games by the scruff of the neck and influence them in the way truly world class midfielders can. Overall, a little disappointing.

comment by JohnTerrysHardTackle - #Lampard211 (U1634)
posted 1 hour, 48 minutes ago
Technically he’s very good. He doesn’t a bad attribute, he can dribble, he can pass, he can press and he can tackle. But he doesn’t do any of those things to a high enough standard to say - ‘that’s what he brings to the team’.

He’s struggled to find a home in his career and its obvious to see why - he just doesn't have the ability to take games by the scruff of the neck and influence them in the way truly world class midfielders can. Overall, a little disappointing.
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That's actually the best summation I've ever heard of him.

If I'd been clever enough that's what I'd have said!

comment by BrummieBlue! (U3487)
posted 50 minutes ago
comment by JohnTerrysHardTackle - #Lampard211 (U1634)
posted 1 hour, 48 minutes ago
Technically he’s very good. He doesn’t a bad attribute, he can dribble, he can pass, he can press and he can tackle. But he doesn’t do any of those things to a high enough standard to say - ‘that’s what he brings to the team’.

He’s struggled to find a home in his career and its obvious to see why - he just doesn't have the ability to take games by the scruff of the neck and influence them in the way truly world class midfielders can. Overall, a little disappointing.
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That's actually the best summation I've ever heard of him.

If I'd been clever enough that's what I'd have said!
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And those are the reasons why I think we shd sign him. A squad player not great, but good enough to use to allow us to rotate the likes of Kante abd Jorginho.