Former Premier League player Craig Burley has some doubts about Manchester City signing Mateo Kovacic.
While Burley thinks that Mateo Kovacic could do a good job for Manchester City, he told ESPN that the midfielder does not have the ability to make the sort of runs Ilkay Gundogan made during his time at the Etihad to score goals.
The Germany international recently left Pep Guardiola’s side for Barcelona, and it now looks like Kovacic will take his spot in the team.
Burley, though, feels that they are different players and that the latter cannot do what the former does.
“Different player, different player,” he said when asked if Kovacic can replace Gundogan at the Etihad. “I think he’ll do a good job for the squad, but he’s not got the ability to ghost in.
“The timing of the runs from the middle of the park is very important and Gundogan was one of the best at sort of ghosting into those areas.”
Mateo Kovacic needs to improve going forward
Without a doubt, Kovacic is an excellent midfielder. It is why he has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Chelsea, Real Madrid and now City.
However, simply put, the Croatian does not score enough goals. Last season, for example, he found the back of the net just once in the Premier League.
For a player of his technical quality, he has the potential to do so much better than that. Guardiola has obviously not bought him to improve his attack, though.
The European champions already have their source of goals, namely Erling Haaland. Rather, Kovacic is coming in to help his new side dictate play and escape the opposition press with his ability to dribble when under pressure and in tight situations.
That being said, given that Gundogan was able to come up with some big goals from midfield during his time at City, it would surely be helpful if the man replacing him could do the same.
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