The agreement in principle is that Mateo Kovacic will return to Real Madrid this summer after the Croatia international’s loan stint ends at Stamford Bridge.
The midfielder has not been a failure in general terms but the goals and assists columns have lacked his name altogether. On that measure, pundits have been divided in opinion about whether he must be considered an option to remain at the club or not.
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For Sarri, the situation could not be any clearer than this. He wants the player to stay and beef up his squad. He admits he needs a good cover for Jorginho and Kovacic has proven a capable option.
I want to try with Kovacic. He is only on loan, of course, but I’d like very much that Kovacic will stay with us. You know very well that, in that position, we have some problems because we have only Jorginho. In my opinion, Kovacic could become a very good central midfielder. Of course, he is not a defensive midfielder (at the moment) but, as you know, in that position I prefer a very technical player.
Mateo Kovacic, Metro
Kovacic has made 46 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea in his season-long loan deal from Real Madrid. Having struggled to break through the Real starting 11 at the Bernabeu, Kovacic will probably not be ready to go back and play under Zinedine Zidane after the return of the Frenchman.
