Mateo Kovacic

[Dinpomp]

http://www.calcissimo.com/calciomercato/esclusiva-inter-kovacic-potrebbe-partire-in-cambio-di-27402

EXCLUSIVE - Inter Kovacic could leave in exchange for ...

Inter think an exchange of loans with Tottenham.

12/18/2013 17:30 Gabriele Cantella


It is no secret that Mateo Kovacic and not just struggling to find a place, especially tactics, Inter Walter Mazzarri, as it is no mystery that the former Roma Lamela is doing just as much effort to establish themselves in the Premier League in Tottenham . Yet it is no mystery that the Nerazzurri are looking for a quick striker, technical and able to jump the man with ease, one at Lavezzi to speak. According collected exclusively by "Calcissimo.com", to the scrutiny of men Inter market there would be the possibility of an exchange between disgruntled that involve their Kovacic and Lamela. The idea of Branca and Aid would be an exchange of loans so as to leave the door open to a possible return to the Nerazzurri Kovacic, if the boy could express all his talent with the jersey of the Spurs.


*****

No idea about the credibility of that site, but I said it before and I'll say it again. If there is ONE player who Tottenham missed out on from Dinamo Zagreb and who is basically a SURE THING, it's Mateo Kovacic.

I don't suggest on giving up on Lamela, nor do I believe this "swap" talk, but if there is ANY opportunity to still get Kovacic, I wouldn't hesitate one second. That said, IF he were to become available, there would certainly be other clubs waiting to get involved.

 

[$hoguN]

Any news article that suggests we may be parted with Lamela is not credible at all. The kid has just moved to a new Country where he doesn't speak the language and has competition for places.

 

[Dinpomp]

And that's why I said I don't believe the swap talk, but the point remains that IF Kovacic is available (and attainable), don't hesitate.

Inter would be crazy to let him go, but there are contradicting reports on what they might (be willing to) do. I honestly find it very hard to believe that he'll go anywhere, but there have been whispers. Some say Guarin leaving would indicate they are ready to give him more responsibility, while others report that Mazzarri is looking at other options.

 

[$hoguN]

Yeah I agree about Kovacic, quality young player. Would love to have him at the Lane.

 

[not_tenth-again]

Kovacic was a massive miss. Keep Lamela.... but what about Eriksen? Would you accept that swap?

 

[THOWIG]

Why has he not been playing Dinpomp?

 

[Strikeb4ck]

^There's a battle for midfield spots at Inter and it seems Mazarri doesn't rate him as highly as others do, although he consistently impresses.

 

[Dinpomp]

Why has he not been playing Dinpomp?

He plays, but not consistently as a starter. There are a number of potential reasons, but it all comes down to Mazzarri. He's known to be harsh on younger players, or at least in having a hard time trusting them enough. It's my belief that he's over-thinking it when it comes to Kovacic. He's trying to mould him into a certain player, and I don't think he needs to do that. Just let him play. He's good enough ALREADY. He proved that last season. He stands out in their midfield.

The thing is, even before Mazzarri took over at Inter he said he wanted Kovacic to become their Hamsik, a goal-scoring attacking midfielder. That immediately made me scratch my head, as they are not the same player. Kovacic can/should improve on his scoring, but he's very much a pass first type of player. He doesn't have that killer instinct. Never did. He doesn't need to be a "Hamsik", he's better off being "Kovacic." Very few players have his ability of getting a pass in a stand-still position at the middle of the field and then within seconds darting for a slalom run past 4-5 defenders with very close ball control. He's a special player. I don't care if he's played as a deep-lying playmaker (as he was last season), or as an attacking midfielder (in this year's 3-5-1-1), but in order to maximize his potential, he needs to be in contact with the ball as much as possible. When he has the ball, things happen. He's a good link-up player who at any moment can provide a defense splitting run or killer pass. Having him isolated from the build-up is a complete waste of his talents.

If I could have bet on one thing which should have been a certainty for Inter this season, it would have been that Kovacic would be a focal point.

One problem is that Kovacic got injured in preseason and had to play catch-up. That reason/excuse for his limited playing time in the beginning made sense, but as the season has gone on it's no longer valid. When Kovacic has a good showing he rarely gets rewarded for it. Then you get these "experts" who really don't know the situation and then they write "What's happened to Kovacic?" Nothing, he just hasn't had a run. He's had some really good moments this year as well. It's just that you can't expect him to play the last 30 minutes, in an advanced role, and expect magic, particularly when he's not being a focal part of the build-up. Even like this he's top 5 in Serie A passing (92%) and with a regular run he would certainly be at or near the top in dribbles. Last season he was second only to Ribery in that department (in all of Europe).

Here he is in his last game vs. Parma:




Here he is in the play-off (second-leg) vs. Iceland:




He's an outstanding talent/player. Not a guy whose value is (just) in his potential, but in his current ability/worth. Said it before and I'll say it again. Barring injuries, he's a sure thing.

 

[murichej]

Great player, I'm watching him for 2nd year now. He's also very strong. There is also a video on youtube on him vs Spurs last season (Inter - Spurs 2nd leg) where he did it very well. He could be a bit cheaper version of Dembele but much bigger potential and better end-product.

Kovacic and Halilovic could really be great croatian partnership.

 

[Cravenspurs]

Really uses his body...that Croatia video made me miss Modric

 

[PT]

Hang on - one post say better end product than Dembele (where Dembele has been playing deep this season), and aonther suggests he's a pass first player who doesn't have a killer instinct. Which is it then?

 

[DaSpurs]

Hang on - one post say better end product than Dembele (where Dembele has been playing deep this season), and aonther suggests he's a pass first player who doesn't have a killer instinct. Which is it then?

I think it's safe to say it's possible to still fill both criteria.

 

[Dinpomp]

According to Italian media (Mediaset), Inter have turned down three offers for Kovacic. The clubs to have bid are said to be Manchester United, Shakhtar, and Galatasasary. The highest bid is said to have been 25m euros.


Again, conflicting reports. Some reports saying they won't sell, others saying they are willing to and even mention Halilovic as a player they would put some of that money towards.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I dont know why on earth inter would sell him, it would be a very stupid move for them.

 

[Dinpomp]

 

[Blake Griffin]

why exactly did we not get this lad in the first place? you'd have thought it would've been a no brainer, modric out, kovacic in. just €13m as well. whenever i try to "map" out a spurs 11, i always struggle as i want eriksen left but then it leaves me without a passer in the middle but then eriksen central means chadli or sigurdsson on the left ....

 

[Dinpomp]

why exactly did we not get this lad in the first place? you'd have thought it would've been a no brainer, modric out, kovacic in. just €13m as well. whenever i try to "map" out a spurs 11, i always struggle as i want eriksen left but then it leaves me without a passer in the middle but then eriksen central means chadli or sigurdsson on the left ....

Makes me wonder too, especially because of the "good relationship" between the two clubs. He was as close to a "sure thing" as you could get. I initially thought he'd be more expensive, but Inter got him on the cheap (relatively speaking). I know that Spurs have and are continuing to scout many Dinamo Zagreb players. I'm not surprised they tried for Halilovic, but again, Kovacic was (in hindsight) "there for the taking." Reportedly they did come in with a 10m euro bid (or somewhere in that region), but it was my understanding that they were to be told of any other bids coming in. Maybe that wasn't the case. Because if it WAS a matter of matching the Inter bid, I wouldn't have hesitated for a second. But again, maybe there was more to it.

 

[Huddlebone]

dont think we will sell Lamela or swap him, just words to make some heat before the window. I think TS want to work with the players now on before he starts to sell.

But, would not say no to Kovacic

 

[double0]

Lamela is the better player. Once he settles down we will see an outstanding player

 

[Barry Mead]

Lamela is the better player. Once he settles down we will see an outstanding player

Not that I don't think Lamela is not a really great buy and am sure he'll prove a great player for us, but Kovacic is in many ways a very different player and I think could become a really excellent player and could be that more attack balanced central midfielder we lack