By Ewah Chika.

When Real Madrid signed Matteo Kovacic from Inter Milan for €29 million last summer, not only were Real Madrid fans shocked but also asking questions on the ability of the Croatian to fit into the Madrid team. Rafa Benitez who was then the manager at the time had favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric playing as the two holding midfielders and the likes of Ronaldo , Isco and Gareth Bale operating further up the pitch. From the beginning it was clear Kovacic was always going to be a squad player and not a starter at the club considering the recall of impressive defensive midfielder Casemiro from Porto.

It was highly unlikely that Kovacic would succeed in Madrid given his inconsistent form at Inter where he scored only five goals in 80 Seria A games as an attacking midfielder after making a €15 million move from Dinamo Zagreb in 2013. The Croatian's form was not helped by Inter as the club flirted with the likes of Andrea Stramaccioni, Walter Mazzarri and then Roberto Mancini changing coaches at random . While he enjoyed legendary status with his below average performances under previous managers it wasn't the case with Mancini who regularly put him on the bench in his last season before sanctioning his sale to Madrid.

Kovacic's story did not change in Madrid in his debut season (last season) as he made only eight starts and 17 substitute La Liga appearances scoring no goal and providing two assists with most of the appearances coming under previous manager Benitez. Under Zinedine Zidane, Kovacic hasn't fitted into the manager's style as his 4-3-3 formation has made the likes of Kroos, Casmeiro and Modric in starters in midfield. The plight of Kovacic is made worse given the high profile names that are ranked ahead of him yet sit on the bench with him (James Rodriguez and Isco). Kovacic is technically sound and good in dribbling but this is not the only quality that the Frenchman wants from his players . Unlike the likes of Kroos and Modric who have better passing accuracy, quicker and more defensive which has worsened the case for the Croatian.

"I have not spoken to the club, there is no need . Right now he (Kovacic) is fighting for his place in the team, as is the case with every player except Christiano (Ronaldo), who has a guaranteed place in the first XI.

"Every player has to prove their worth to find a place in the team and at Real Madrid it is even more difficult." These were the words of Nikky Vuksan (Kovacic's agent) revealing that the midfielder will not leave Madrid this summer as he will try to force his way into the starting eleven . At 22, Kovacic still has a lot to learn in the game and hence should prioritise having more game time rather than rot in the bench . Even in the Croatian national team , Kovacic is not having it easier as the likes of Marko Pjaca and Ivan Rakitic are ahead of him in the pecking order.

Kovacic might have been a shining light in Dinamo Zagreb but since making the move out of Croatia, the midfielder has been everything but consistent and must resurrect his dwindling career rather than continue in the bench in Real Madrid.

Source

http://mailtelegraph..co.ke/2016/08/why-matteo-kovacic-is-better-off.html?m=1