Hasselbaink Believes Chelsea Should Opt Against Signing Croatian Star This Summer

Hasselbaink Believes Chelsea Should Opt Against Signing Croatian Star This Summer

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes that the club should not sign loanee Mateo Kovacic on a permanent deal in the summer.

The Blues are currently under a transfer embargo but even if the sanctions are lifted, Hasselbaink believes the Croatian should be sent back to Real Madrid as he isn’t the right fit for Chelsea’s midfield:

“I don’t think Chelsea should pursue Kovacic. I think he was signed as a way to get better value from the deal that saw Courtois go to Real Madrid, but he hasn’t been used correctly at Chelsea.”

“Kovacic is a defensive midfielder and that is where he performed best at Real Madrid, but Chelsea are already blessed with Jorginho and Kante in that role.”

Kovacic’s numbers this season certainly back up Hasselbaink’s views of the 24-year-old’s impact on the team.

Kovacic

The midfielder has not scored a single goal since arriving in England, whilst his ability to create goals is also minimal with just two assists all season.

Compare his statistics to the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley, who have played in the same position, and it’s clear Kovacic’s talents lie elsewhere on the pitch.

While Loftus-Cheek has scored eight and provided four assists in nine fewer matches than the Croatian, Barkley has scored five and contributed six assists, having played one game more.