A Croatian international has quietly had a good season for Manchester City | OneFootball

One player for Manchester City who has quietly gone about his work this season for Manchester City is Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian international became an important player for Pep Guardiola’s side after Rodri’s season-ending knee injury. From November through to January Kovacic struggled playing as a number six. But in recent matches, playing in his natural role the Croatian international’s performances have lifted. All told, Kovacic has quietly had a good season as evidenced by the amount of goals he has scored this season.

Mateo Kovacic scored Manchester City’s second goal during their 2-nil win over Everton on Saturday. He made a late run into the box and fired home a shot from the edge of the area after a sublime Ilkay Gundogan layoff. The goal followed his rasping drive against Crystal Palace at the Etihad. This season he has now scored 7 goals. They can all be seen below. But his goals do highlight where the Croatian international plays his best football.

Mateo Kovacic has had a good season bar a rough patch through November until January.

Where Mateo Kovacic struggled this season was when he was playing as a number six from late November through to January. In truth, the entire Manchester City squad struggled during this period. The strengths of the Croatian international’s game aren’t suited to this role. His tendency to drive forward from midfield did leave City’s defence exposed when he either lost possession or was caught out of position. But since Nico arrived at the club Kovacic has been able to play to his strengths more often. He can drift forward with the knowledge that Nico is behind him. It allows Kovacic to get forward either in possession or with his forward runs. That element of his play is a weapon to City’s game. It’s no coincidence that with a competent holding midfielder alongside him it has brought out the best in Kovacic. The same can be said for Ilkay Gundogan.

Kovacic has had a good season for Pep Guardiola’s side this campaign. He hasn’t been perfect by any stretch, no Manchester City player has in all honesty. But when the Croatian midfielder has been able to play in a role that suits his strengths he’s added goals from midfield to City’s play. The hope is that can continue as Pep Guardiola’s side needs those goals in Erling Haaland’s absence. But Kovacic has had a good season despite a rough patch throughout November until early January.