The ManicaPost
Mateo Kovacic has admitted he is delighted to have signed for Chelsea after the midfielder completed a season-long loan move to Stamford Bridge.
The Croatian has joined Maurizio Sarri’s squad from Real Madrid for the upcoming campaign as part of a deal that saw Thibaut Courtois move in the opposite direction for £35million.
Kovacic signed for Los Blancos in 2015 but failed to establish himself as a regular starter thanks to the abundance of quality they possess in the middle of the park.
Comfortable in possession, Sarri will be hoping the Croatian can add some offensive impetus to his team going into the new season.
He is expected to form a midfield trio alongside Jorginho and N’Golo Kante in Sarri’s preferred 4-3-3 system.
Kovacic told the club’s official website: ‘I am really happy and excited to be here at Chelsea. It is an amazing feeling.
‘I will try to do my best for this club. It is a new league for me, the beginning is always tough but I am sure the coach and my new team-mates will help me and I am looking forward to a great season.’
Kovacic moved to Spain from Inter Milan and made 109 appearances in three seasons at Real Madrid, winning three Champions League titles and La Liga once.
He joins an abundance of midfield talent at Stamford Bridge and will need to impress to stay atop a pecking order that includes Jorginho, Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
AC Milan are in talks to sign Bakayoko though while a host of Premier League clubs are said to be keen on taking Drinkwater before the window slams shut at 5pm on Thursday. — Daily Mail.
