Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has heaped the praise on new loan signing Mateo Kovacic ahead of his side’s encounter with Arsenal this weekend.
The Blues will be looking to make it two wins out of two in the Premier League, following their highly impressive 3-0 victory away at Huddersfield Town last weekend.
Kovacic, who joined Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid this summer, was not available for the Blues’ win at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday but could be handed his debut for the club against Arsenal.
Speaking ahead of his first outing as Chelsea boss at Stamford Bridge, Sarri was quick to single out Kovacic for praise. As quoted by Goal, the Italian tactician hailed the Croatian international as a “very great player”.
I think Mateo will be very useful for us. He’s a very technical player. In this moment he has to work. I think he’s not ready now for 90 minutes, but maybe tomorrow for 30 minutes he could be used.
I think he can play in any of the three positions in midfield. He’s a very good offensive player, but he has improved in the defensive phase in the last two years in Madrid. I expect a lot from him because, for me, he’s a very great player. In my opinion, he can improve more.
After growing frustrated by the shortage of first-team opportunities at Real Madrid in recent times, Kovacic will be desperate to impress when called upon as he looks to nail down a place in Chelsea’s starting line-up.
