Chelsea’s new summer signing Mateo Kovacic has received backing from his international head coach Zlatco Dalic after he left Real Madrid for the Blues this summer.
🗣 Croatia coach, Zlatko Dalić on Mateo Kovačić: "At Real Madrid he played once, then no, he played again and then he did not…that wasn't enough for him. He's a player with enormous potential and has to develop by playing with eagerness. He did well by changing the club." pic.twitter.com/eh0NdHmkIA
— 𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 (@ReaIMadridOnly) September 3, 2018
The midfielder was rarely used at the Santiago Bernabeu and failed to really ‘progress’ in the famous white jersey. So he made it clear to the top chiefs at the La Liga club that he wanted to leave for a new club, preferably Chelsea who came calling.
That move was applauded by his national team coach Dalic, who was at the helm of the Croatia side that advanced against all odds to reach the 2018 World Cup final, losing to France eventually.
Dalic says the move made sense for Kovacic’s development and that winning titles at Real Madrid could not be motivation enough.
“Mateo has made a very good decision by changing teams. He’s a player who needs minutes to develop while playing in many games. He will only be able to improve if he plays consistently.”
Zlatco Dalic, Managing Madrid
Kovacic has slowly been intergrated into the Chelsea squad this season by new head coach Maurizio Sarri who seems to have faith in the Croat to play alongside Jorginho and N’Golo Kante in a midfield three.
