Although much of the praise was reserved for Eden Hazard’s performance against Watford last night, Mateo Kovacic also put in another good display.
The Croatian international is on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season, but there is no purchase option to buy the midfielder outright.
Some supporters on Twitter are hoping the club sign Kovacic permanently:
World class again Mateo! Sign a permanent deal with us ASAP! ???
— NF18 (@ChelseaNF18) 26 December 2018
Top performance boss.
— ً (@CFCBrano) 26 December 2018
Great game and great assist Kovacic!! Como on!!
— Chelsea FC ?? (@ChelseaGoleador) 26 December 2018
Great performance kova?
— al tximanga kabwe (@altximangakabwe) 26 December 2018
Kovacic I’m begging you to sign permanently pliz it was a joyous day for me decorated by that wonderful pass to eden hazard opener
— Ryan’s (@NyamukungwaF) 26 December 2018
Superb game you had my man ??
— SeanCFC¹° (@Sean_Bxlr) 26 December 2018
Masterclass from you today. Keep it up Mat???
— TJ (@cfc_tj) 26 December 2018
Great game and great assist Kovacic!!
— Charles Nkomo (@Charles92652633) 27 December 2018
Great game Mateo! Pls stay next season
— Brad (@brad_bradley_) 26 December 2018
The 24-year-old has been pretty consistent with his performances since arriving in the summer, but manager Maurizio Sarri has expressed his concern in recent weeks and months that the Blues have too many similar midfielders.
Kovacic has had to battle for his place in midfield against the likes of Ross Barkley as well as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante.
If the Croatian does stay put, the question will be whether he’ll prevent someone like Loftus-Cheek from getting more game time in central midfield. The England international has shown what he can do further forward for Chelsea this campaign but many see his future in the midfield three.
