Chelsea loanee must play regularly to fulfil “enormous potential” insists Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic

Chelsea loanee must play regularly to fulfil “enormous potential” insists Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic

Mateo Kovacic must play regularly at Chelsea this season in order to fulfil his “enormous potential”, according to Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic.

Kovacic moved to Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan during the summer as part of a deal that saw Thibaut Courtois go the other way.

The 24-year-old has struggled for regular game time at Madrid – he made just ten leagues for Los Blancos last season – however is hoping to feature more prominently at Stamford Bridge after an impressive World Cup campaign this summer.

Kovacic starred as Croatia reached the final in Russia, and Dalic – the manager who helped take them there – has warned Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri he must now play him regularly if he wants too unlock his full potential.

“He has done well to change clubs,” Dalic told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.

“He can only progress by playing constantly. At Real Madrid, he played now and again, and that was not enough for him.

“He has enormous potential. I hope he will have more opportunities at Chelsea.”

Kovacic has has started both of Chelsea’s last two Premier League games against Newcastle and Bournemouth, and will bed hoping to keep his place in the side in two weeks time when the Blues welcome Cardiff City to Stamford Bridge.