Report: Man City could now sign £30m world-class player to replace both Gundogan and Bernardo
It has now emerged how Manchester City intend to field Mateo Kovacic within their current system.
This comes from The Athletic journalist Sam Lee after it was said on Monday that the Chelsea midfielder was set to join the three-time winners in a £30m transfer.
Now it seems Manchester City have a vision to get the best out of Mateo Kovacic.
How Manchester City want to use Mateo Kovacic
Many have wondered which player from Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva, who are believed to be leaving City, could replace the Croatian.
Kovacic, billed as “world class” by Sportskeeda, is not a third-final threat like Gundogan, while his off-the-ball work and ability to control plays are not on par with the latter. However, Manchester City seem to have fully understood how to use Mateo Kovacic within their tactical setup.
How Manchester City want to use Mateo Kovacic
Many have wondered which player from Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva, who are believed to be leaving City, could replace the Croatian.
Kovacic, billed as “world class” by Sportskeeda, is not a third-final threat like Gundogan, while his off-the-ball work and ability to control plays are not on par with the latter.
However, Manchester City seem to have fully understood how to use Mateo Kovacic within their tactical setup.
“The current thinking is that Pep Guardiola will use the 29-year-old as number 8; one of the attacking midfielders who works between Rodri and the first line. Although one would have expected him to occupy the same spaces as Gundogan even if the German had remained at City, it is hard not to see him as a replacement now that he is leaving and therefore to compare both,” Lee wrote.
He went into more detail about how Manchester City view Mateo Kovacic as an addition to their system, saying: “They are different players but Kovacic is expected to perform the same tasks.” There will be some subtle differences in approach, but up to the task: Gündogan is a master at setting the pace with plenty of quick and well-timed passes, while Kovacic should be more likely to carry the balloon itself.
In summary, Sam Lee pointed out that Mateo Kovacic should in some ways be a mix of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva in a Manchester City shirt.
Although he heads the ball more often than Gündogan and Bernardo Silva, City believe his approach falls somewhere in between – he carries it more than Gündogan but doesn’t hold it as firmly as Bernardo.
Doubting Pep Guardiola’s vision is a foolish act and Mateo Kovacic is believed to be a hit at the Etihad once the move is complete.
