Mateo Kovacic has incurred an influential start to the Premier League campaign, with the Croatian having made four starts in the opening four games of the new season. The former Chelsea midfielder has been providing cover for Rodri, who returned late owing to delayed holidays because of his involvement in European Championships along the summer.
Kovacic has done a splendid job and has arguably been one of the better performers donning the Man City badge over the past few weeks. However, it will be interesting to see if his involvement deflates as Rodri comes back. It would be a difficult sight to watch him demote to the bench after the performances he has been putting in off late.
While Rodri is an undisputed starter in this Manchester City team, owing to his consistency and Pep’s dependency on the former Atletico Madrid striker. Although, the question is whether Kovacic partners Rodri in the middle of the park or does he demote to the bench and make way for Rodri.
This whole situation takes me back to when the 30-year-old veteran was subject to links with a move away from Etihad Stadium. Kovacic had been subject to links with a move to the Saudi Pro League, and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has now given an update around a possible exit.
The Italian journalist on the Here We Go Podcast reiterates that a January move away is not on the cards for Kovacic. He goes on to speak about how the rumours to the Middle East were banging on an empty vessel as the player’s representatives and the club have not received any formal approach for Kova’s signatures.
Romano said:
“What I can guarantee at the moment is that those close to Kovacic have not received anything. There is no formal proposal from Al-Nassr, and also Manchester City have absolutely no clue of this interest from Saudi Arabia for Mateo Kovacic. At the moment, nothing really concrete into it.
“Man City is very happy with Kovacic. He’s considered a fantastic professional. They’re very happy with him, and also he’s very happy at City.”
Kovacic being around Manchester City is huge news, especially following those rumours linking him away. He has proven to be a potential back-up to Rodri where the squad doesn’t suffer as much when the Spanish midfielder is absent, and that gives Pep Guardiola an alternative to rest Rodri as well as ensure that the squad quality doesn’t diminish.
