Gabby Agbonlahor insists that Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic is actually really underrated and doesn’t get the credit he truly deserves.
Kovacic, 28, was at his dazzling best earlier this week when Chelsea recorded a 2-1 away victory against Red Bull Salzburg.
The Blues qualified as group winners in their Champions League group with a game still to spare.
Graham Potter’s side are now really starting to build up some momentum with nine games unbeaten, so should be very confident going into this weekend’s Premier League trip to Brighton.
Mateo Kovacic is underrated
TalkSPORT pundit Agbonlahor was left waxing lyrical about Kovacic following his midweek Champions League masterclass.
The Croatian midfielder was too hot to handle in the centre of the park for Salzburg, influencing the contest with his quality and directness on the ball.
Also, he scored an outrageous left-footed strike that he guided into the top corner from the edge of the box. Conor Gallagher couldn’t believe the goal from his teammate.
Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: “Kovacic is that player that doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves. Whenever he’s on the ball, he always wants to play, always wants the ball in any position. He’s very good at running with the ball as well. If he can add more goals, he’ll be even better for Chelsea.”
For certain, Kovacic is not underrated by anybody at Stamford Bridge.
It definitely gives the Chelsea side a big left when the Croatian is in the XI, something that Potter has quickly found out during his time in charge.
Let’s hope the £40million man can do his best to remain injury free during the course of the campaign.
It doesn’t feel like he’s put in the very top bracket when discussing the Premier League’s elite central midfielders, but there aren’t many that can influence a game like him when he’s in the mood.
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