Pat Nevin claims even the great Lionel Messi would have been proud of Mateo Kovacic’s latest Chelsea goal.
Kovacic, who doesn’t score often, netted a fantastic volley in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Leicester City at the weekend.
The £40million midfielder powered in a volley inside the box, showing great athleticism to rise high and keep his balance mid-flight.
He’s only scored six goals in 210 Blues appearances, but they seem to be spectacular whenever he does finish.
Nevin was blown away by the Croatia international’s strike at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
When discussing Kovacic’s latest goal to the club’s website, Nevin said: “It is the sort of finish that any player up to the level of Lionel Messi would be utterly proud of, and not just having the ability to do it, but having the imagination to get your body into the right position and then manufacturing the power from the scissor-kick.”
It was reminiscent of a volley he scored against Liverpool in 2022, that one a magical scissor-kick from outside the box.
Compared to Zinedine Zidane by Wesley Fofana last week, Kovacic is a player with so much individual flair and technique.
The central midfielder glides his way across the pitch with the ball at his feet.
It’s definitely time he starts contributing with some more goals, too.
He appears to be thriving in recent games with the extra responsibility of wearing the captain’s armband, so let’s hope this run of form can continue alongside Enzo Fernandez in the heart of midfield.
There were some stunning goals from Chelsea in the win against Leicester, with Kai Havertz’s delicate chipped volley even better than the Kovacic rocket.
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