Mateo Kovacic’s Chelsea debut vs Arsenal
After sixty minutes on Saturday against Arsenal, Mateo Kovacic was brought off the bench for his Chelsea debut.
Chelsea went on to beat Arsenal 3-2 in the Premier League.
That’s two wins out of two at the start of the season for Chelsea.
Kovacic, the Croatian international, moved from Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge on loan in the summer.
Chelsea have agreed a one-year loan deal with Kovacic. However it’s been widely confirmed that Chelsea have failed to secure an option to buy the 24-year-old midfielder when the deal ends.
Some may argue that Chelsea are cultivating Real Madrid’s surplus, while snubbing their own talents at Stamford Bridge.
Kovacic drops a hint over his Real Madrid future
After the Arsenal game, Mateo Kovacic gave an interview on Croatian TV.
The Real Madrid loanee hinted to Sport Klub that he might not return to Madrid, unless something changes at Los Blancos. He said:
First of all it was important that after 3 years of inconsistency in playing time in Madrid I’ve got into a team that wants me and a coach that wants and trust me, that’s how Chelsea happened.
That’s what I really need now, as I said earlier I’m feeling really good and I want to keep it that way.
Kovačić: "I needed a team that wanted me and I found that here with Sarri and Chelsea". Per 'Sport Klub'
Sounds like he is here for the long haul🙌 pic.twitter.com/VV85bEL0xc— Kas (@o31qas) August 18, 2018
(Maurizio Sarri) knows me for a long time, I’ve watched a lot of his games, he likes to play and that’s what matters in my opinion. The squad is phenomenal with many great players that’s why it wasn’t so hard to adapt quick.
The tempo is higher, there is more space, but as I said it’s not hard to adapt when you are surrounded by great players. I would thank to all fans that support me and I will make sure I payback on the pitch.
Chelsea fans will hoping this is a sign Kovacic could remain at the Blues. However that’s far from certain at this stage.
Watch the Mateo Kovacic interview below.
Also see: Arsenal had an obvious tactical weakness vs Chelsea.
Chelsea 3 – Arsenal 2: Sam Allardyce slams foreign coaches on BeIN Sports.
