The Pride of London
Fansided

Three big questions: Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and tying it all together

By Travis Tyler

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Ben Chilwell of Leicester City holds off Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on December 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Ben Chilwell of Leicester City holds off Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on December 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 19: Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea controls the ball as Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United looks on during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andy Rain/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 19: Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea controls the ball as Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United looks on during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andy Rain/Pool via Getty Images) /

3. Is sheer talent enough to keep him in the side long term?

It has already been stated that Kovacic has a wide ranging skillset. That makes him good at many things but not necessarily great at anything in particular. That in turn makes him a bit of an awkward fit for the XI.

But at the end of the day, talent is talent and Kovacic is arguably Chelsea’s most talented midfielder. No other player is as capable on and off the ball in equal measure. He may not be as useful offensively or defensively as others, but overall, it is hard to ignore being able to do both at once.

But is that enough to keep him in the starting XI? If Chelsea needs to be more defensive, he surely has a path way in. If they need to be more offensive, however, other options make more sense. There is not as much middle ground there in teams Chelsea plays against.

Kovacic should play plenty season regardless of whether or not he is a “clear” starter. There will be plenty of games to go around. The only question is how many Kovacic plays in because he is the most awkward fit of the midfielders.

He has the talent to deserve to play, it just remains a question as to what Lampard opts to do with that. There are more midfielders to go around than spots next season and Kovacic is deserving of one, but it is hard to say for sure how he fits into that hierarchy. It will be a question for Lampard to figure out, primarily if Havertz does finally join.

dark. Next. Three big questions: Chelsea's Willy Caballero and swan songs

What questions do you think need to be asked of Mateo Kovacic before next season? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!

Home/Chelsea FC News