Shaun Wright-Phillips has said that the third-man run Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic made for his goal against Urawa Red Diamonds reminded him of Ilkay Gundogan.
The pundit also praised Kovacic’s composed finish into the roof of the net during City’s official full-time show on their YouTube channel.
After beating the Japanese side 3-0 on Tuesday, Manchester City are set to face Fluminense in the final of the Club World Cup on Friday.
Shaun Wright-Phillips says Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic did something similar to Ilkay Gundogan against Urawa Red Diamonds
The £150,000-a-week (Sport Rac) man got on the end of a sublime through ball from Kyle Walker before extending City’s lead by two goals in the 52nd minute.
After Manchester City defeated Urawa Red Diamonds, Shaun Wright-Phillips compared the run Mateo Kovacic made for his strike to that of now-Barcelona maestro Ilkay Gundogan.
“I think Joleon [Lescott] hit the nail on the head when he said the little run that Kyle Walker went on but the pass with the outside of the boot just to split the defence, the weight of it was delightful.”
“Then it was just about Kova [Mateo Kovacic] being really calm and composed, and he was in a position that Joleon again, I’m giving you applause…noticed it was something [Ilkay] Gundogan would do. That same third-man run where he’d run in behind but the finish for me was exquisite”, he said on Manchester City’s official full-time show on their YouTube channel.
“I think he just took his time and just side foot, roof of the net and it would have been nice for him to have that because he’s had a few half-chances where we think he could’ve done a lot better and [with] this one, he just made sure it went in so hopefully, there’s a lot more goals for him to come now.”
If Mateo Kovacic works on this trait, he could turn into a goalscoring midfielder
Shaun Wright-Phillips is bang on in his comparison with Ilkay Gundogan, as Mateo Kovacic also ghosted past Urawa Red Diamonds’ defence to put the ball in the back of the net for Manchester City.
The former Chelsea technician has never been associated as one to produce end product, especially in the form of goals.
However, one reason why this has been the case with Kovacic is that he lacks the movement goalscoring midfielders tend to be blessed with.
But if Mateo Kovacic can develop this trait, he could become a goalscoring asset for Manchester City from the middle of the park.
In addition, the ex-Real Madrid midfielder would also likely cement his place in the side as City are yet to have successfully replaced Ilkay Gundodgan since his departure in the summer.
From an individual basis as well, becoming a reliable goalscorer would take Mateo Kovacic’s game to another level.
