MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 07:47:49| >> :120:20024:20024:

Mateo Kovacic: 'Chelsea, Maurizio Sarri believe in me'

Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic admits that he feels wanted at Chelsea and therefore expects to quickly adapt to his new surroundings.

Mateo Kovacic has said that he expects to quickly adapt to life under Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea as he feels wanted by both the manager and the club.

The Croatia international ended a three-year stay at Real Madrid to join the Blues last week, initially arriving on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

Having been used sparingly last season, with more than half of his La Liga outings coming from the bench, Kovacic is glad to be at a club where he will play more regularly.

Speaking after his 30-minute appearance for the Blues in Saturday's 3-2 win over Arsenal, the 24-year-old told Sport Klub TV: "I am happy because of victory, the most important is that team played good.

"I feel fine, I miss rhythm but I just joined the team. I am working fine and improving. It was important for me after three years without continuity of play in Madrid, to find a team and coach that want me, and that happened in Chelsea.

"The club who wanted me and the coach that believes in me. That is what I need. Sarri knows me for a long time and I watched a lot of his matches. He loves to play, the team is great, with a lot of big players. I don't expect it to be hard for me to adapt."

Kovacic finished last season's La Liga campaign with an 88% dribble success rate - the best of any player to have attempted at least 30 dribbles.

ID:333880: cacheID:333880:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2430:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Maurizio Sarri watches on during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea and Arsenal on August 1, 2018
Read Next:
Maurizio Sarri intends to give up smoking
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!