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Maurizio Sarri wants Kovacic to stay

Cardiff City v Chelsea FC - Premier League

Mateo Kovacic has been a good addition to the Chelsea midfield. The Croatian midfielder who found himself on the fringes at Real Madrid has cherished the opportunity to play more regularly at one of England's biggest clubs and has impressed fans and the manager alike.

However, Kovacic is on a season-long loan from Real Madrid and is set to return to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer once the current season ends. Kovacic has played a much deeper role for Chelsea but has got into the good books of Maurizio Sarri as the Italian tactician tries to stamp his authority over the club.

Speaking about Mateo Kovacic, Maurizio Sarri said,

"I want to try with Kovacic,"

"He is only on loan, of course, but I'd like very much that Kovacic will stay with us."

‘You know very well that, in that position, we have some problems because we have only Jorginho. In my opinion, Kovacic could become a very good central midfielder.

‘Of course, he is not a defensive midfielder (at the moment) but, as you know, in that position I prefer a very technical player.

‘In the last match, Jorginho touched 161 balls. So, for us, it’s very important for us to have big quality in that position. Big quality not for the last pass, but big quality in terms of moving the ball.’