Earlier today we heard major advances on the whispers about a Mateo Kovacic move to Manchester City.
It’s been rumoured for some time, but Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive claimed that we’ve reached the stage of “concrete talks,” which presumably mean we’ve advanced beyond preliminary discussions of willingness to sell or buy and reached the stage of actually talking numbers.
Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian added that the “expectation” was that “a deal will be done.”
EXCL: Manchester City have opened concrete talks to sign Mateo Kovacic in the summer. Positive discussions took place with player’s camp in the last few days over personal terms 🚨🔵 #MCFC
Chelsea, open to selling Kovacic as part of midfield revolution. Talks will continue soon. pic.twitter.com/a9IL6NSdug
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 31, 2023
At this stage, not many Chelsea fans are going to object. After initially enjoying the rush of a brilliant dribbler in central midfield, the affection for Kovacic has worn off as his ineffectiveness in many games started to grate.
He’s managed 6 goals and 15 goals in 221 games for the club, not really goo enough
Fans will be pretty happy to get some money for him and move on. But don’t be surprised if they’re left frustrated by a reborn Kovacic in Manchester.
EXCL: Manchester City have opened concrete talks to sign Mateo Kovacic in the summer. Positive discussions took place with player’s camp in the last few days over personal terms 🚨🔵 #MCFC
Chelsea, open to selling Kovacic as part of midfield revolution. Talks will continue soon. pic.twitter.com/a9IL6NSdug
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 31, 2023
Most players look better as part of Pep Guardiola’s winning machine, and while it takes a certain type of player to adapt to it, those who survive can often end up looking better than ever as part of the winning machine.
Manchester City in talks with Chelsea over signing Mateo Kovacic. Expectation is deal will be done. Kovacic has one year left on deal
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) May 31, 2023
But it was just never going to happen for Kova here – he had plenty of chances, and while it will be frustrating to see him lifting the title in a year’s time, we will hopefully have replaced him with a really tenacious and motivated young tackler who will complement Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the pitch.
If the €30m or so we get for him from City help us in the long term, we can handle the pain of him thriving there.