Former-Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole believes Mateo Kovacic remains a critical member of the club’s tactical system under Frank Lampard, despite critics continuing to focus on his lack of goals.
The Croatian has never been far from scrutiny during his Chelsea career despite being a regular in the team under Maurizio Sarri last season. Struggling for consistency, the wider consensus was one of disappointment over a player who was tipped to transform the Blues at both ends of the field.
However, this season, having secured a permanent deal with the club, has seen Kovacic transform into a key player within Frank Lampard’s side. Indeed, he is averaging more touches, making more passes and more attempted dribbles in the Premier League this season while making more interceptions in the defensive third.
Albeit still yet to make a telling direct goals contribution, Cole believes he operates as an integral member of Lampard’s squad, with his technical ability and range of passing providing the foundations for the team’s attacking moves.
“He’s been different class. Because he doesn’t score goals, people will ask what does he do. He does everything. Watching him train, he’s very strong and he can hold the ball,” he told BT Sport.
“He’s got a range of passing, technically he is bang on. He made a lovely partnership with Jorginho and now he looks like he has settled in alongside Kante.
“He has become key. He drives through the midfield, picks the right pass and he’s looking better every game with the confidence he is getting. He’s not afraid to put his foot in.”
Embodying the club’s rejuvenation under Lampard, Kovavic has grown to become a central figure within the midfield, acting as the enabler for Willian, Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham to thrive ahead of him.
His intricate mix of controlled aggression to blanket the back-four alongside an ability to thread eye-of-the-needle passes has brought with it a seamless transition from midfield to attack, contributing heavily to Chelsea’s impressive campaign thus far.
“He’s massively important for Frank and the way they want to play with the press, you have to have legs and this player has got them in abundance but he has also got the ability to find a pass.
“Breaking up play, using his strength, he’s a real good lad, he’s found himself at a club where he has found his home, he’s a senior player and there is a big responsibility for him now.
“He, effectively, has seen Jorginho off. Frank knew he had to bring Kante back in the team and he’s outperformed Jorginho, who has been getting a lot of plaudits himself.”
