Chelsea new-boy Mateo Kovacic has revealed that he is hoping Frank Lampard’s influence will help him start finding the back of the net, during an interview with the club’s official website.
Kovacic made 51 appearances in a Chelsea shirt under Maurizio Sarri last season, but failed to find the back of the net on a single occasion, despite often playing as the most advanced of the midfield three.
That did not stop Chelsea from purchasing him on a permanent basis, with the transfer being announced earlier this month. We will, though, be expecting more from the Croatian in the season ahead.
Kovacic needs to add goals to his game, but fear not, he recognises that himself. He told Chelsea’s official club website that he hopes Lampard’s influence will see his goal tally rise:
“I’m looking forward to working with him a lot. He was an amazing player and he showed last season that he is a good coach as well. I’m looking forward to learning how to score from him because he scored quite a lot and me not so much last season!”
“I’m maybe not exactly the same type of midfielder as he was but he had some strong abilities, especially scoring goals. He was a hard worker so I’m looking forward to being better in this aspect, in working hard, fighting on the pitch and scoring goals.”
It remains to be seen what role Lampard will find for Kovacic in the season ahead. If he is to stick with the 4-2-3-1 he used against Bohemians, it seems likely he’ll find himself in the double pivot.
Perhaps he won’t have as many opportunities to get on the scoresheet if he is playing in that deeper role, but it’s about making the most of what you get, which Lampard will help him achieve.
