Monday 15 June 2015 12:41, UK
We take a look at Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, the man being linked with a move to the Premier League and Liverpool…
Factfile
Name: Mateo Kovacic
Age: 21
Position: Centre-midfield
Club: Inter
Nation: Croatia (20 appearances, one goal)
What is his background?
Currently playing in Serie A with Inter, Mateo Kovacic was born in the Austrian city of Linz and began his development with local side LASK Linz. By the age of 13, he was attracting the interest of a number of top clubs across Europe and with the help of his Bosnian-Croat parents eventually opted to join Dinamo Zagreb.
Just three years later and still six months shy of his 17th birthday, Kovacic made his first team debut, scoring in a 6-0 win away at Hrvatski Dragovoljac to become the league’s youngest ever goal-scorer. However, it was not until the following season that he would truly establish himself.
Playing mostly from the left, Kovacic helped the Zagreb outfit to the Champions League group stages for the first time in over a decade, also netting five times in 25 league appearances. He also became the youngest player ever to captain the club when he took the armband during a game with NK Lucko. Another league title followed for Dinamo and Kovacic rounded off an excellent campaign by scoring in the Croatian Cup final.
After another season playing in the Champions League, Kovacic was nominated for the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2012 as speculation over his future began to mount. A move to Inter followed in January 2013 and he adapted quickly to life in Milan to become a regular starter by the end of the season.
The 2013/14 campaign was more of a struggle for the young Croat as he found himself in and out of the team for much of the year under new coach Walter Mazzarri.
However, last season Kovacic really made his mark. In January, he signed a new contract tying him to the club until 2019 and finished the season with five goals from midfield, including a stunning volley against Lazio. At just 21, Kovacic has shown himself to be one of the shining lights in a struggling Inter team and is also a regular for his country, having made his Croatia debut in March 2013.
What is his style?
Although deployed in a deeper midfield role by Roberto Mancini in the latter stages of the season, Kovacic is not your typical defensive midfield by any stretch. The Inter No.10 acts as the playmaker, dictating the tempo of the game and getting his team onto the front foot.
The Croatian arrived shortly after the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Liverpool and there are certainly similarities in the way they play the game. Like the Brazilian, Kovacic is comfortable with the ball at his feet and more than capable of beating a man. He can also be relied upon to pick a telling pass.
Kovacic is capable of playing in the centre of midfield or in a more advanced role and has proved himself adept at playing in a more deep-lying role as well, if accompanied by a more natural ball winner. Indeed, having just turned 21, he is a player with the ability to master any number of roles in the heart of the midfield.
Would he fit in at Anfield?
He certainly fits the profile of player that Liverpool have looked to acquire in recent transfer windows – young, lots of potential and a high resale value – and he would surely provide an extra spark in the Reds midfield.
Kovacic would have plenty of competition for a role in central midfield despite the departure of Steven Gerrard with Coutinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva all competing for three spots.
Should Brendan Rodgers reprise the 4-4-2 diamond of 2013/14 then that potentially becomes four positions that Kovacic could fill and he wouldbe sure to fit in with the type of quick, passing football that the Liverpool manager craves.
What is the latest on his future?
Reports in Italy suggest that Liverpool have agreed a fee with Inter of £16.6m plus add ons and are now free to discuss terms with the player.
There had previously been suggestions that the fee itself was all that needed to be agreed and that Kovacic had already come to an arrangement with the Merseyside club so while there is some confusion, a deal might not be too far away.
As yet there has been little from the British media regarding a deal and Liverpool have distanced themselves from the rumours. Time will tell...
