Mateo Kovacic

[dtxspurs]

I agree and people talking about buying him for 60m+ is insane... but when you think about our situation we're in we have to buy a creative midfielder to replace dembele.

I cannot watch another game with Dier and Wanyama operating in midfield, it's painful.

Domt know if Poch is thinking about dropping Eriksen or Dele back into the central midfield role but defensively they're a liability...

If it fixed our midfield issues that money would 100% be worth it. Like I said previously I don't see Madrid demanding that much. 40-50 would be a fair deal.

 

[runar]

If it fixed our midfield issues that money would 100% be worth it. Like I said previously I don't see Madrid demanding that much. 40-50 would be a fair deal.

Agrer 40-50 is fine but we might be overestimating his ability. He was bought to Real a while ago and yes I know they have Modric and Kroos but Kovacic isn't close to their level (not that that should be expected)

He has age on his side with time to develop, he mostly played as an amc with inter but as we know that league isn't the strongest.

If Poch thinks he's our player I trust him. His track record speaks for itself

 

[tiger666]

This may have been aimed towards me, I don't think he's world class. He certainly hasn't proved that yet, but for me he's exactly the skill set we need and has the potential to become a top class CM in world football.

How much have you watched Kovacic play?

 

[dtxspurs]

How much have you watched Kovacic play?

I watch all the Madrid games I can with my schedule due to Bale & Modric but can't catch them all. Its a pretty widely regarded thought that he has the ability to achieve that level, not sure what the issue is that I don't watch every minute he's played. You can see from game cut ups that he can do all the things we need. Watching those, catching a few games and reading what fans say about him is plenty for me to make a personal opinion on the player.

 

[Sweech]

This may have been aimed towards me, I don't think he's world class. He certainly hasn't proved that yet, but for me he's exactly the skill set we need and has the potential to become a top class CM in world football.

Nah it’s not just aimed at you. Just read through the thread and you can see the hype train taking off.

 

[archiewasking]

Nah it’s not just aimed at you. Just read through the thread and you can see the hype train taking off.

I have to respectfully disagree about the hype. I have had a lot of football on my TV in the last year. It may or may not have been Spanish football and may or may not have been Real Madrid. Kovacic may have possibly been playing at various times, but judging from the sounds coming from my TV in the background whilst I have been getting on with my life, I can tell you without fear of contradiction, he is a world class player and exactly what we need.

 

[rawhide]

I have to respectfully disagree about the hype. I have had a lot of football on my TV in the last year. It may or may not have been Spanish football and may or may not have been Real Madrid. Kovacic may have possibly been playing at various times, but judging from the sounds coming from my TV in the background whilst I have been getting on with my life, I can tell you without fear of contradiction, he is a world class player and exactly what we need.

Feel free to copy and paste into every other player thread substituting the names of the players teams and leagues...

 

[Japhet]

The term 'World class' is 100% subjective and variable. There is no accurate definition, so it's a pointless description. What we know about Kovacic is that he's a very good player whose career has stagnated because he can't get past Modric, Kroos and Rakatic at Madrid, or in the Croatian team (+Brozovic). The vaguely exciting thing about him though is that there is a chance that he is attainable and that he could become a star player if he was given more opportunities to play. I'd love us to sign him because he ticks a load of boxes for us, but I seriously doubt Levy would open the purse strings anywhere near enough to get him.

 

[SpartanSpur]

The term 'World class' is 100% subjective and variable. There is no accurate definition, so it's a pointless description. What we know about Kovacic is that he's a very good player whose career has stagnated because he can't get past Modric, Kroos and Rakatic at Madrid, or in the Croatian team (+Brozovic). The vaguely exciting thing about him though is that there is a chance that he is attainable and that he could become a star player if he was given more opportunities to play. I'd love us to sign him because he ticks a load of boxes for us, but I seriously doubt Levy would open the purse strings anywhere near enough to get him.

Interesting you mention Brozovic. He might be an even better option. Inter are reportedly trying to rush through a new deal as he had a real breakthrough season and a strong world cup (keeping Kovacic out). Apparently he has a release clause of around £40m. I feel like we might have been linked in the past too.

 

[Japhet]

Interesting you mention Brozovic. He might be an even better option. Inter are reportedly trying to rush through a new deal as he had a real breakthrough season and a strong world cup (keeping Kovacic out). Apparently he has a release clause of around £40m. I feel like we might have been linked in the past too.

I like Brozovic as a player but just think there's too much overlap with what we already have in Dier and Wanyama. Kovacic, IMO, is exactly the type of quick thinking ball player we've needed in CM for a long time. Hoping that Winks can get back up to speed though since he was a big miss for us last season.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I like Brozovic as a player but just think there's too much overlap with what we already have in Dier and Wanyama. Kovacic, IMO, is exactly the type of quick thinking ball player we've needed in CM for a long time. Hoping that Winks can get back up to speed though since he was a big miss for us last season.

Agree on Winks. Think Brozovic has a bit more about him as a footballer than the DMs mentioned but I do also like Kovacic a lot too. Likely a moot point regardless, but I'd be more inclined to go with the player that seems to be on the rise.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

I agree and people talking about buying him for 60m+ is insane... but when you think about our situation we're in we have to buy a creative midfielder to replace dembele.

I cannot watch another game with Dier and Wanyama operating in midfield, it's painful.

Domt know if Poch is thinking about dropping Eriksen or Dele back into the central midfield role but defensively they're a liability...

I think Eriksen + Dier/Wanyama is proven to work quite well in certain games. The other obvious option is Winks, who is effective when fit and in form. We definitely do need another strong CM option though (assuming Dembele leaves).

 

[ButchCassidy]

MARCA front page have Kovacic meeting with Lopty again and insisting on leaving again...

 

[highpressmess]

Gards seems to think that Kovacic could be a possibility. Not sure if that’s opinion or itk knowledge

 

[George94]

Gards seems to think that Kovacic could be a possibility. Not sure if that’s opinion or itk knowledge

Think he later clarified these were more 'signings we should be making', than actual possibilities.

 

[highpressmess]

Think he later clarified these were more 'signings we should be making', than actual possibilities.

Yeah, he did say that they're realistic options though

 

[DiamondLites]

If we end up only signing one player this window, and at this point that is a distinct possibility, then I would want it to be this guy

 

[tiger666]

Yeah, he did say that they're realistic options though

I don't see Zaha at £70m as realistic. I see no way Levy is paying that.

 

[barry]

Gards seems to think that Kovacic could be a possibility. Not sure if that’s opinion or itk knowledge

Buckets of salt mate. ITK is entertaiment, but until the club announce don't get your hopes up. From personal experience it will always lead to despondency.

 

[George94]

Yeah, he did say that they're realistic options though

I would love for us to sign those 3 players, but I just cannot see it happening