Unveiling Mateo Kovacic: From Croatian Wonderkid to Key Player in the European Football Scene

2023-06-29 13:39:04

Debuted as the first player on the market this summer of the “3 champions” team. Manchester City already following Chelsea Accept the offer easily, not swaying, and here are 10 things you (maybe) didn’t know regarding Mateo Kovacic, who might be the “big deal” of Manchester City for a very light price.

Eastern Europe in the 1980s and 1990s was full of chaos and pain caused by war. Stipo and mom Rusika therefore emigrating from Yugoslavia (before splitting up the country) to Austria before receiving a witness of love Master Mateo Kovacic in Austria (The eldest son of two sisters) on May 6, 1994, and the youngster Mateo grew up in Austria until the age of getting to know football. Until entering the Academy of leading clubs like LASK Linz At regarding 6-7 years old

Soccer : UEFA Champions League Group D – Ajax v GNK Dinamo Zagreb / ​​Matthew Ashton/GettyImages

shining as a sculptor LASK Linz For a while, until the age of 13, Kovacic was noticed by world-class clubs such as Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich But the next step that he and his family chose is immigration to Croatia to join the Academy of Dinamo Zagreb

It has been revealed that during 2009, when Kovacic was 14-15, he suffered a serious leg injury. which is not a joke of children at this age However, following spending around a year in recovery and recovery, Kovacic returned to the pitch for the agency’s U17 youth team once once more.

The development of a young midfielder like him has been impressive. Wahid Halilhodzic Dinamo Zagreb’s first-team coach at the time opened the way for Kovacic to taste the Croatian top-flight game. Herwatsky Dragovoljak Late 2010 and his name is highly discussed in the media in the country. After scoring 4-0 straight away in a 6-0 victory, he became the youngest scorer in the Croat League at 16 years and 198 days.

FBL-EUR-C1-PSG-ZAGREB / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages

It’s unclear if it happened during the camp. LASK Linz in Austria or with the way Dinamo Zagreb But there is a picture circulating social media to the rhythm “Kid holding the ball” like Kovacic in a dizzy state (Probably when in Lynch more) try to get close. Steven Gerrard in the yellow uniform of Liverpool to ask for a handshake

It appears that Gerrard in Mood is not happy. Didn’t care regarding the youngster any more than heading off the pitch. until he did not extend his hand to grab anything It is said that Kovacic weeps in disappointment.

It is this rhythm that may have contributed to Kovacic’s use as a driving force. that he would have to become a professional footballer at the forefront So that one day he will be able to shake hands with Gerrard or any superstar on the field with pride.

However, according to some Fact Check sources, the picture was actually not Kovacic, but rather a young Greek fan. who do not know the name in any way

report to Dinamo Zagreb He became a regular at the age of 17 and Kovacic seized the opportunity to move to “Foreign Giant” Fast as well, at the beginning of 2013 at Inter Milan The deal was signed to San Siro for €11m in damages plus €4m in bonuses if Inter secured a place in the Champions League while Kovacic was at the club.

and even going to live with Inter in a difficult period Obviously went downhill following winning the treble, but Kovacic did his job well. especially inserted into the core of the central region of the whole Andrea Stramaccioni, Walter Mazzarri and Roberto Mancini who alternately sit in the chair of the boss snake

“Mazzarri made a good decision in choosing the team. when he used Kovacic in the first 11.” Giovanni Trapattoni “The way Kovacic plays, it’s a cross between Kaka and Clarence Seedorf. playing with high technique and has a very good early speed start.”

FC Milan vs Parma FC – Serie A / Marco Luzzani/GettyImages

Three years at San Siro, despite not having achieved trophies, Kovacic has been praised by many for his personal performances. In fact, Inter wants to keep him for a long time. According to the contract that has just been signed until 2019, but with the regulations of the financial rules FFP This forced them to sell Kovacic in the summer of 2015.

Inter are reluctant to accept a €29m offer from Real Madrid (It is said to have beaten Liverpool in the title race) but at the same time, Kovacic was able to achieve his dreams as a young boy. “I agreed to sign the contract without thinking. When my dream has always been to play for a great team like Real Madrid,” he said in his debut interview with the Whites. “The first football team I knew as a child was Real Madrid and I still can’t believe that I actually joined this team.”

And it’s Kovacic the fifth Croatian to play for Real Madrid following the legend. Robert Prosinezki, Davor Zuker, Robert Yarni (Speed ​​9) and his idol like Luka Modric

FBL-ESP-LIGA-REALMADRID-KOVACIC / DANI POZO/GettyImages

“Modric has been my idol since I was a kid (when Modric started making his mark at Spurs, Kovacic was a trainee at the Dinamo Zagre academy). I’m right there) and when I came to Madrid We became closer and more intimate. It’s great to have great players as friends. He had a huge influence on me.

“The best advice I got from him is that when you win don’t be puffed up and when you lose. Don’t lose hope on yourself. Have faith.

“I was only 21 when I moved to Madrid. Of course, at first I’m pretty excited And the training was very hard. There is always competition in the team. But when I look back It is also my privilege to be surrounded by great players. And I learned a lot from them.”

“Obviously I’m close with Luka, he’s one of those kind of leaders. And ahead of us is Cristiano Ronaldo, he is a leader on and off the field as well.

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF – La Liga / Alex Caparros/GettyImages

Even if you come across a seam (Like when in Inter) with the fact that Real Madrid There is a change of coach from Rafael Benitez is Zinedine Zidane At the beginning of the second half of the 2015/16 season, this was not considered to have had a negative effect on Kovacic’s playing time.

More importantly, Kovacic also “Lift the cup until I’m tired” and here, when it appears that within 3 years, 3 seasons of wearing white He has won 9 titles together. It can be considered the most successful period in my life.

Real Madrid v Club Atletico de Madrid – UEFA Champions League Final / Chris Brunskill Ltd/GettyImages

However, with the tightness of the midfield Real Madrid And Kovacic was often on the bench — the Champions League final for three years. Despite winning three rounds, Kovacic only sat and watched his friends play. result when Chelsea Approached with a 1-year loan contract, Real Madrid agreed to let it go in the summer of 2018.

And the loan was made permanent for £40.5 million a year later.

Although the highlight of Kovacic is not in scoring goals (Two children a year, a lot), but it’s like Chelsea got it. “Luka Modric the Shapeshifter” come together with the benefits of getting the ball, the soccer ball, being involved in the game both offensively and defensively, tactical techniques for playing with the ball and versatility can play at any point in the middle

Again, though, during his blue uniform Kovacic did not end up winning the Premier League once. But went to the UEFA Champions League 1 time and was also selected as the Chelsea player of the year 2019/20 as well

Manchester City v Chelsea FC – UEFA Champions League Final / David Ramos/GettyImages

During the last season in which Kovacic had four bosses (Tuchel > Potter > Bruno > Lampard) it was clearly a year that “fail” hard of Chelsea new owner era Todd Bohly But in Kovacic’s part, the drop form go as well (And doesn’t quite fit in with newcomer Enzo Fernandez) still has the image of being set up as “Team Captain” in many matches

and considered Chelsea and Kovacic “Cutting is easier than you think” With his contract expiring in 2024 and Singha needing money to balance it out, FFP gave the green light to an easy move. (Along with others – so far Chelsea have released 7-8 first-team players and there will be more to come) that would end Kovacic’s 221 appearances at Stamford Bridge. scored 6 goals and won 4 titles together (CPL, Europa League, Super Cup, Club World Cup, 1 each)

Other than that, it should be considered that Chelsea gave birth. “kind” all the way back without thinking too much for “Give the spear to the enemy” no matter the deal Kovacic with Manchester City, Kai Havertz with Arsenal or go back a bit with Jorginho flying Arsenal too

with the question that when reaching the peak, Manchester City won 3 historic championships Where else should I change?

The very first answer was that Kovacic replaced captain Ilkay Gundogan directly and took over the No. 8 shirt.

It should come as no surprise that Manchester City rushed to close the Kovacic deal early – at £25m plus £5m in add-ons, when Kovacic might be a valuable asset to Pep Guardiola’s side. Vardiola got a lot. First of all, a good price. Next is a player who has just turned 29 and still has at least another 4-5 years of service.

The most important thing is the experience that Kovacic is most striving for. It’s been Italy, Spain and in the Premier League for five years together.

Pep can also place Kovacic anywhere in the middle of the line. Both the invaders on the border lower receiver And it’s possible in every system, be it 3-2-4-1, 3-4-3, 4-3-3, 4-4-2, etc. Let me tell you, Kovacic can do it all.

and saw it moved quietly close deals fast plus it’s not a big headline news

Up and bad, this might be one of the best signings of the summer. The kind that doesn’t make the fans Sailboats must miss Gundogan, but somehow…

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