Whispers of Steven Gerrard retiring would strike fear into the bravest of Liverpool fans. So many questions will plague their minds. Will anyone ever be as good as him? Who will replace him? Will this cause a decline at the club? Many of these questions could be answered by Mateo Kovacic. This 19-year-old has been touted as the next Steven Gerrard and currently plays for Internationalize in the Italian league. Brendan Rodgers is thought to be a long term admirer of the gifted play maker and this could result in summer move to Liverpool.
Why would he want to play for Liverpool? Apart from the fact that they are a better club than Inter Milan, and headed for Champions League football, Kovacic is rumoured to be unsettled. He is not making the impact he made at the start of the season due to playing time. His agent said in an interview, “Everybody is confused as to why Matteo is not playing. Is there a row with Mazzarri I can’t say a lot, but he is not happy.”
This coincides with reports from various English and Italian papers that Liverpool could be preparing an £8 million summer move. This could all be coming at the right time with the summer transfer window coming faster and faster the Croatian international could be wearing the Liverpool red in good time.
He can play a variety of positions but his best is right in the centre of the park. He likes to receive the ball and create space for himself to make an Gerrard-esque pass. He plays off his team-mates and has moments of magic that can win you matches. He reminds me very much of Philipe Coutinho. The first reason is they are both from Inter and are valued around the same price so comparisons would start immediately if he made the Anfield switch. Apart from this they both play at their peak in an attacking midfield position. They both know how to beat their man with nice pace and silky skills. Most importantly, they each can make a defence splitting past with vision that can only be admired.
The one negative that plagues both players is their shooting ability leaves much to be desired. Kovacic hardly ever scores and our little magician’s goals to shots ratio can be improved significantly.
In my opinion it would depend on what acquisitions the Reds make in the summer as to whether he could work his way into the Liverpool first team. At first he will be limited to substitute appearances but if this 19-year-old is the wonder kid he has been touted as, he will show it. Rodgers is building the foundation for years to come and will see this. He could eventually work his way into starting games. Next season Liverpool will have a busier European schedule, meaning that depth will become more important. Should he make the move he will get enough game time to make the necessary improvements.
I believe Liverpool should pursue a move for the Croatian International. Many would say that they have enough mids, and ask where would he fit in? As always I’m an optimist and you can never have enough great players, besides it is not everyday a future star for a small fee becomes available. Liverpool took the offer up with Coutinho, and who knows how good Kovacic could become.
Anyway, someone who is thought of as the next Steven Gerrard is a player worth pulling out the stops to make sure he is playing in front of an adoring Kop next season.
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