NAME: Mateo Kovacic
AGE: 19
POSITION: Centre midfield
CLUB: Inter Milan
NATIONALITY: Croatia
MARKET VALUE: £13,000,000
Inter Milan have been going through a rough patch in the last couple of season of seasons. Ever since the Champions League final, the Nerazzuri have gone rapidly downhill. Inter Milan have struggled to compete with league winners Juventus as have rivals AC Milan.
Inter offloaded to of their strongest midfielders last season selling Welsey Sneijder to Galatasaray and Phillipe Coutinho to Liverpool. Under Walter Mazzari, Inter look set to turn to youth after purchasing the likes of Juan Jesus, Mauro Icardi and Ishak Belfodil. The main man in this new era for Inter Milan is their Croation maestro Mateo Kovacic. In yet another gloomy season at the San Siro, Kovacic was a shining light.
It was a bold decision to turn to a virtually unknown 18 year old after seeing two high profile players depart but the - now - 19 year old responded admirably. A £9.6m transfer fee startled some fans with Inter beating off competition from Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City for the former Dinamo Zagreb man.
Having started his career as an attacking midfielder, Kovacic has transformed into the anchor of the midfield playing in a similar role as Andrea Pirlo at Juve. He has adapted to life in Italy perfectly after being slotted into a struggling side with struggling players. Kovacic has been consistently impressive and extremely consistent.
Kovacic is capable of controlling the midfield with a wonderful range of passing. He can set off an attack, dictate the tempo of the game, spray passes left or right and has a knack to pick out the right pass.
Despite his passing ability, dribbling is the Croatia international forte. Kovacic easily glides through players, going on mazy dribbles from midfield. The ball simply sticks to his feet and he is second only to Wolfsburg’s Diego in the successful dribbling department.
If his performances last season are anything to go by, Kovacic’s potential is simply frightening. If Inter Milan are to return to their glory days, Kovacic is going to be the man to lead them there.
Source: DSG
