Jermaine Jenas was left amazed by the dribbling of Chelsea and Croatia star Mateo Kovacic yesterday at the World Cup.
Croatia booked their spot in the World Cup semi-finals by dumping favourites Brazil out of the tournament after a penalty shootout.
Kovacic, who’s a key player in his nation’s starting line-up, impressed with yet another excellent performance on the biggest stage.
The 28-year-old Blues midfielder was extremely busy in the centre of the park alongside teammates Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic.
If Croatia are to beat Argentina in the semi-finals next week, there’s no doubt the midfield battle is going to be pivotal.
Mateo Kovacic dribbling
BBC pundit Jenas, who was on co-commentary for Croatia against Brazil, singled out Chelsea’s central midfielder for huge praise during the World Cup quarter-final showdown.
In particular, he thinks the Blues star was excellent in possession.
“He’s been good today Kovacic. Been absolutely brilliant on the ball,” Jenas told BBC One (4:20pm, 9 Dec).
Jenas later added (4:30pm, 9 December): “He does that time and time again Kovacic, where you think you’ve got him, but he always finds a way out.”
All Chelsea fans know just how special Kovacic is with the ball at his feet.
His ability to break the lines and keep possession in tight spaces is one of the biggest strengths in his game. It’s no coincidence Reece James recently called him one of the most technically gifted players at Stamford Bridge.
If he could just add a few more goals, you would be talking about one of the most complete midfielders in the sport.
It’s been great to watch the Chelsea man shining on the World Cup stage with his country and it’s a big bonus that his fitness hasn’t been an issue because it’s something that has plagued him over the years.
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