Craig Burley has said that Manchester City new-boy Mateo Kovacic underwhelmed in his side’s 2-1 defeat against Wolves.
Speaking to ESPN FC after the contest, the outspoken pundit gave his two cents on the £150,000-a-week (Sportrac) man.
As Mateo Kovacic filled in as his side’s defensive midfielder against Wolves on Saturday, Craig Burley believes he was one of the biggest letdowns for Manchester City on the day.
Craig Burley says Mateo Kovacic was ‘poor’ as Manchester City get beaten by Wolves
Branded as an ‘exceptional player’ by Pep Guardiola, the Croatian international had an appalling afternoon at the Molineux Stadium.
Defensively, the four-time Champions League winner lacked the legs to win back possession and even on the ball, his passing was far too vertical as he failed to dictate proceedings from a deeper position.
After Manchester City dropped their first points of the Premier League season against Wolves, Craig Burley said Mateo Kovacic had a day to forget as well.
“Kovacic was poor”, he said.
“Well, particularly when you saw the incident for the first goal where Kovacic plays a [pass], well he doesn’t know [Phil] Foden’s there and he clatters it off him. And then Foden gets outmuscled and [Nathan] Ake dives in, he gets outpaced.”
Craig Burley pinpointed that a natural No.6 like Rodri or even Fernandinho would have done far better than Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic did for Wolves’ opener.
“That’s where Rodri, not just with the ball and everything else he does but that’s where…and Fernandinho used to do it brilliantly, that’s where he across and covers, and makes a tackle and breaks it down.”
“Kovacic struggled.”
Blessing in disguise for Pep Guardiola that Mateo Kovacic struggled
While it is hard to disagree with Craig Burley, Pep Guardiola would be relieved in a sense that Mateo Kovacic was uninspiring as cover for Rodri against Wolves.
This is due to the fact that this now gives the Spaniard the chance to rethink his viable alternative to the suspended midfielder as his side prepare to face Arsenal next Sunday.
The only two current option remain Kalvin Phillips and Matheus Nunes but it’s safe to say that based on Mateo Kovacic’s outing, it is futile to try this experiment once again.
