One of his latest international match for Croatia. At 2:08 there is a holloywood longball if anyone is interested. He would add the needed dynamism to our midfield. Rather have him than Schweinstiger, koke or Fabregas amongst the names we have been currently linked with.
Mateo Kovacic
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One of his latest international match for Croatia. At 2:08 there is a holloywood longball if anyone is interested. He would add the needed dynamism to our midfield. Rather have him than Schweinstiger, koke or Fabregas amongst the names we have been currently linked with.
I suppose if we are looking at central midfielders in the Premier League who can open up games centrally due to their dribbling ability, both Wilshere and Dembele are comparable. Kovacic's end-product and vision is far, far superior and more consistent however. Well that aspect of Dembele's game is non-existent actually.
I could be wrong, but isn't this guy pretty much a #10? or can he defend 
I could be wrong, but isn't this guy pretty much a #10? or can he defend
Like Pirlo or the like... he can put some clean tackles and close down opposition, but without support of other midfielders, not gonna work.
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He reminds me a lot of Anderson in his early United days. His acceleration and willingness to run with the ball is what catches the eye. However, whilst he has good ideas when passing the ball, much like Anderson, his execution leaves a lot to be desired.
He's exciting for the reasons I pointed out and he'd be a project much like Anderson was. But he's not going to come here and transform our midfield. He might never reach the top level. His end product is a bit of a worry to me, I just can't see past the scruffy paasing and the way he loses possession in bad areas. We'd be screwed unless we built a midfield around him.
He's exciting for the reasons I pointed out and he'd be a project much like Anderson was. But he's not going to come here and transform our midfield. He might never reach the top level. His end product is a bit of a worry to me, I just can't see past the scruffy paasing and the way he loses possession in bad areas. We'd be screwed unless we built a midfield around him.
Give them Nani and Chicharito in return for this bloke......but it's all nonsense that we are after him as LVG clearly will sign Strootman and possibly Clasy ahead of this bloke
Will he be a starter at the WC? So many people on here are up his ass but I can't say I ever remember watching him play.
That's exactly what I see when I watch him play, but he only turned 20 a month ago, there's time for him to develop. I think he'll be a great player 5-6 years from now. For United, I'd take Brozovic before him, also very talented, and there's not much focus on him. Pay what it takes for the kid and he's yours. He won't cost much.
If we want someone to run our midfield right now and in the foreseable future, Mateo is the guy we should sign. This kid is elite!
Wouldn't be surprised if he steals the show vs brazil. He does things no other midfielder in the world can.
90% passing accuracy this season and last season. You can cherry pick the "scruffy" passing of any player. His dribbling success rate is 74% this season and 73% last season. You can see how dangerous he can be when dribbling through the opposition, The stats tell you how often he does so and how successful he is at doing so. Find me a player who dribbles more often than Kovacic and with greater degree of success.
I still have no clue why United or any other club has yet to try and sign this kid, his not even a starter for Inter.
Go out, say "eff' it", throw £40 million at Inter for him; throw £40 million at PSG for Verratti; finalise the Shaw deal;
secure ourselves a good five years of midfield dominance from day one; win lots of trophies.
...until Madrid come calling
. Come on Woody!
secure ourselves a good five years of midfield dominance from day one; win lots of trophies.
...until Madrid come calling
. Come on Woody!Why is he not a starter?
Mazzarri prefers Taider.
Success rate as coach: 41% winning 31% drawing 28% losing and 1 trophy won
Success rate as coach: 43% winning 26% drawing 31% losing and 1 trophy won
Which is Mazzarri and which is Moyes?
Success rate as coach: 43% winning 26% drawing 31% losing and 1 trophy won
Which is Mazzarri and which is Moyes?
Its rumored that he is going to Dortmund to replace Gundogan when Illkay eventually leaves.
Kovacic and Gundogan would make a very nice midfield for us
Kovacic and Gundogan would make a very nice midfield for us
You need a third member in there, those two dont offer enough defensive protection.
------------------- VAN PERSIE/ROONEY
--------- NANI/JANUZAJ
---------------- MATA/KAGAWA
RODRIGUEZ - KOVACIC - GUNDOGAN - VALENCIA
------------------ CARRICK
---------EVANS -------------- SMALLING
------------------- VAN PERSIE/ROONEY
--------- NANI/JANUZAJ
---------------- MATA/KAGAWA
RODRIGUEZ - KOVACIC - GUNDOGAN - VALENCIA
------------------ CARRICK
---------EVANS -------------- SMALLING
Would love us to play that, we will get destroyed but will be worth it.Juventus played that system and got 102 points this season. Back in the 90s we used to attack with 8 players, leave 2 defenders plus GK back and have 6 players in the box. People are far too negative nowadays and always fear the worst and want to play 4 CBs, 2 at the back and 2 in midfield.
Juventus played that system and got 102 points this season. Back in the 90s we used to attack with 8 players, leave 2 defenders plus GK back and have 6 players in the box. People are far too negative nowadays and always fear the worst and want to play 4 CBs, 2 at the back and 2 in midfield.
Juventus have vidal/pogba/marchiso/pirlo in midfield, thats two/three ball winning players while carrick/gundogan/kovacic defend more based on positional play. I think you need atleast one player in midfield who will kick the shit out of opposition and win the ball back for the creative players.
In 90s, we had keane,ince,butt,robson in midfield who are closer to the juventus four in playing style than the one you have in that formation.
Those were the days. Funny how football has completely changed now, and despite more kids playing, those type of players have become much harder to find.
Barca changed the face of football, it's all about the ball players now
Kovaciç is the truth. We should have got him at 17 from Dinamo and pit him straight in the first team set up like Wilshere was. He's a graceful ballerina, but like Jack has a strong upper body and physique.
For the obsessed, he can definitely play in a midfield 2 I'd say, no less than Yaya Toure can. As much as I'd like Pogba back, I'd take Kovaciç instead. He can replace Iniesta in the future I think.
For the obsessed, he can definitely play in a midfield 2 I'd say, no less than Yaya Toure can. As much as I'd like Pogba back, I'd take Kovaciç instead. He can replace Iniesta in the future I think.
Looking forward to see how he plays against Brazil. How will he react being under the spotlight with billions watching worldwide? Shy away and bottle it? Or take the tournament by storm?
Fascinating
Fascinating
Interesting to see how this kid does against Brazil, could be a value bet for young player of the World Cup at 25/1.
I've just placed a bet a couple of hours ago thinking exactly the same thing.
Not seen much of Croatia, does he play much? They have Modric and Rakatic where does he fit in?
Now heres where we should really looking.
Not an expert of Croatian football but afaik Rakitic plays a bit more advanced and Modric, Kovacic kind of sit back and control the tempo of the game in their midfield 3.
Like so :
---------------------Rakitic----------------------
--------Modric-------------------Kovacic---------
Not an expert of Croatian football but afaik Rakitic plays a bit more advanced and Modric, Kovacic kind of sit back and control the tempo of the game in their midfield 3.
Like so :
---------------------Rakitic----------------------
--------Modric-------------------Kovacic---------
one of the best midfields in the competition I would say... especially in the heat over there as the can certainly retain the ball as well as hurt teams with passes
I don't think it's an exaggeration to suggest Croatia's central midfield is comparable to Brazil's on paper, if not a bit unbalanced.
We're expected to play 4-2-3-1 with Kovacic as nr 10 and the other two in double pivot. The "problem" lies is in the fact that Rakitic has spent last half of the season playing behind the striker and Kova played deeper.
Croatia's midfield with Modric and Rakitic behind Kovacic is very sexy, but defensively lacking. Modric is a great all-rounder but still needs to play next to someone more defensive than him, not less.
Yup, its a big question will Niko go with a DMF (vukojević) or he will risk and go with Luka, Raketa and Kova. Creatively its a great trio but defensively its a bit lacking, every one of them can do a job defensively but sometimes, most times, you need a proper DMF.
I think they should play Modric and Vukojevic as CM partnership with Kovacic in front of them. Then have 3 forwards, Perisic, Rakitic and Olic. They can counter attack Brazil.
I expect Vukojevic to play and one of Kovacic or Rakitic to be moved out wide. Then with Mandjukic returning for the remaining games - Olic on the wing and Modric, Rakitic, Kovacic in midfield. I don't think they'll risk with Eduardo or Rebic starting today, in place of Mario.
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