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Mateo Kovacic

yanno

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Aug 1, 2003
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I guess Dybala isn't good enough then because he can't get into the Argentina team.

At the risk of briefly derailing this thread, Dybala is a suitable way of exploring the core point about the value of making judgements on whether a player is good enough based on selection or non-selection for the national team.

Sampaoli has set up Argentina completely around Messi, surrounding him with a horde of water carriers, plus Aguero and the ever frustrating Di Maria. In addition, Messi and Dybala have spoken about how they naturally look to play in each other's space on the pitch. Consquence: Dybala gets splinters in his butt.

But on ability alone, Dybala would start for almost every national team at the WC.

As for Kovacic, I've wanted him at Spurs ever since Luka started mentoring him back in the day. But if he was our uber CM signing, I suspect he would take at least half a season to adapt to the pace of the PL and to Poch's methods. So, yes, sign him up if he's available but he would not instantly transform our midfield.
 
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dtxspurs

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Would make way more sense than an expensive wing/forward who would be a rotational piece.
 
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Ron Burgundy

SC Supporter
Jun 19, 2008
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There doesn't seem to be a lot of noise around our interest though

He seems like a really obvious buy to make, but there's no ITK and no (real) press speculation, which I find odd
 

Ghost Hardware

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Aug 31, 2012
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Marca says he is leaving.... so I presume he is available.
Seeing as its Marca and concerns a RM player i would be inclined to believe it. If so we need to be all over this. I dont see him going for 50/60 mil ether. I can see us getting Gomes even if Kovacic is available tho.
 

cliff jones

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Aug 31, 2012
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I guess Dybala isn't good enough then because he can't get into the Argentina team.

you're really labouring the point now, aren't you?

Gomes not getting into the Portugal squad is not connected to Kovacevic or Dybala not getting into their respective starting line-up's.
 

Ghost Hardware

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Aug 31, 2012
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Who can honestly say they have seen enough of Kovacic to really make an objective opinion.
I watched him extensively at Inter where he played ether number 10 or CM. They never really found the right spot for him, but he was younger then, and a massive fan favourite who were pissed when he went to RM. Clear to see his quality. He was an excellent dribbler and playmaker, quite similar to Savic presently. His work rate and defensive capabilities were somewhat questioned back then. He used to have quite a lethargic looking style that could be seen as him being disinterested but his stats showed his quality. At Inter he wanted to play behind the striker so got into a funk when moved backwards. But since moving to RM he really pulled up his socks and committed to being a CM and really put a lot of work into his defensive duties. He still goes on those marauding runs once he wins back the ball, but i still feel he doesn't play with complete freedom because he obviously is trying to justify his starting place in a CM 3 that consist of Modric, Kroos and Casmiero. Hes not a DM like Casmiero and he's not going to get consistantly picked ahead of the other two. At this point I feel that even if they sold Modric they would likely buy another CM rather then give Kovacic a proper run. But for me, now that he has adjusted his work rate off the ball, which was always my one concern back in his Inter days, he has all the tools to be an exceptional CM who can also play very well as an AM.
 
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dtxspurs

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I watched him extensively at Inter were he played ether number 10 or CM. They never really found the right spot for him, but he was younger then, but a massive fan favourite who were pissed when he went to RM. Clear to see his quality. He was an excellent dribbler and playmaker, quite similar to Savic presently. His work rate and defensive capabilities were somewhat questioned back then. At Inter he wanted to play behind the striker so got into a funk when moved backwards. But since moving to RM he really pulled up his socks and committed to being a CM and really put a lot of work into his defensive duties. He still goes on those marauding runs once he wins back the ball, but i still feel he doesn't play with complete freedom because he obviously is trying to justify his starting place in a CM 3 the that consist of Modric, Kroos and Casmiero. Hes not a DM like Casmiero and he's not going to get consistantly picked ahead of the other two. I feel that even if they sold Modric they would buy another CM rather then give Kovacic a proper run. But for me, now that he has adjusted his work rate off the ball, which was always my one concern back in his Inter days, he has all the tools to be an exceptional CM who can also play very well as an AM.
Thats exactly the profile of the player we need, willing to at least put in the work on the defensive side so they don't stick out horribly but still has all the qualities of a 10 able to connect the defense and attack, quickly as well.
 

Ghost Hardware

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Aug 31, 2012
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Thats exactly the profile of the player we need, willing to at least put in the work on the defensive side so they don't stick out horribly but still has all the qualities of a 10 able to connect the defense and attack, quickly as well.
Agreed, its why i always mention him every transfer window. My second team is Inter and i was also really pissed he went to RM, i really wanted (and still do) us to get him as i think he would complement Eriksen and Alli perfectly.
 

Dinpomp

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Apr 29, 2008
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Who can honestly say they have seen enough of Kovacic to really make an objective opinion.




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