If there’s anyone a silky midfield operator like Mateo Kovacic should be listening to, it’s Glenn Hoddle.
The former England and Chelsea manager was an absolute class act on the ball, with legendary technique and passing range that still see him named among the very best this island has seen.
So Kovacic, himself a graceful player in the middle of the park, should pay attention to the comments made by Hoddle, working as a pundit on the Europa League last night not long after a welcome return from ill-health.
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The Metro have quotes from the former Spurs man where he’s pretty critical of the on loan Real Madrid man’s time at Stamford Bridge.
“I think he’s a better option than Jorginho in there but I think he would struggle with a No.10 in there like Jorginho would,” Hoddle said, referencing games where Jorginho has been taken out of the match by a dedicated marker.
“[Kovacic] will not score goals in that position, he might score one or two, but if you’re a No.8 you’ve got to score goals and really create.”
He has a point. If you’re going to have a player who doesn’t score or assist, it may as well be N’Golo Kante, because he’s great at defending. Putting Kante in a role where he has to attack, and Jorginho in a role where they have to defend, does seem backwards at times.
