Mateo Kovačić

[BBZ8800]

True. Since Braida was appointed, Barca has consistently and more than normal been linked to Serie A based players, and I can't say I'm pleased about it. The league is in decline, and I would be sceptical about bringing their players, unless they are proven on the Intl level. Kovačić is talented, but at this moment won't be an upgrade, nor solve our MF conundrum.

Yes. It is a total lack of vision and of a short-term and some decent long-term plan.
We really do need players who can make Messi better RIGHT now.
So, in one way, transfers like Mathieu make sense.

Then, on the other hand, transfers like young Mats to be a GK during Messi's prime years and buying young Mcs like Kovačić, are "strange" decisions.

Again, this board and directors don't have a vision what they are doing.
In one moment they are buying youtube stars to sell more shirts.
In the second moment they are buying players like Mathieu for TODAY.
In the third moment, they are buying players for the future, like Mats and Kovačić, who are not good enough TODAY, and who would probably ruin Messi's best years.

And suddenly appointing Braida to bring some Seria A talents :/

A board of clowns.

 

[DonAK]

Young Courtois started for last season's LL Champions and CL runner-ups while young De Gea is one of the best keepers in the PL and should be Spain's starter, so I don't see why tS is a strange transfer.

Agree with the signing of Kovacic though UNLESS we sign him along with a CM who can start right now.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Yes. It is a total lack of vision and of a short-term and some decent long-term plan.
We really do need players who can make Messi better RIGHT now.
So, in one way, transfers like Mathieu make sense.

Then, on the other hand, transfers like young Mats to be a GK during Messi's prime years and buying young Mcs like Kovačić, are "strange" decisions.

Again, this board and directors don't have a vision what they are doing.
In one moment they are buying youtube stars to sell more shirts.
In the second moment they are buying players like Mathieu for TODAY.
In the third moment, they are buying players for the future, like Mats and Kovačić, who are not good enough TODAY, and who would probably ruin Messi's best years.

And suddenly appointing Braida to bring some Seria A talents :/

A board of clowns.

Every team need the right mix of veteran and youth .you can't build team of Mathieu type of deals just because we have Messi in his prime otherwise our future will end up like the Milan Duo and we might not even be able to win now because of lack of young legs
While I agree this board lack the sporting project they have done some decent deals ,bringing Suarez is working out while Neymar deal is brilliant one
As for Kovačić ,we had interest in him b4 and now we have a guy who worked in Italy half of his life .I don't know if we have an actual interest in him or it is just a rumors
But remember this :we have been heavily linked to both Koke & Pogba both are considered proven stars that many teams would love to have them(I know you don't like Pogba but this is how the world see him) and also to the likes of Kovačić & Youri Tielemans ,so it is clear that we are looking for a midfield player to replace Iniesta in the starting line up and they look at all the alternatives .that is a very positive sign

 

[BBZ8800]

But remember this :we have been heavily linked to both Koke & Pogba both are considered proven stars that many teams would love to have them(I know you don't like Pogba but this is how the world see him) and also to the likes of Kovačić & Youri Tielemans ,so it is clear that we are looking for a midfield player to replace Iniesta in the starting line up and they look at all the alternatives .that is a very positive sign

I know.
Again, I would still give Kovačić 70:30 chances to make it here (since I know him from Dinamo, Croatian NT team and Inter), while I am giving 10:90 chances for Halilovic to make it at Barca.

For me, out of Pogba-Kovačić-Koke-Verratti-Gundogan, he is the closest to be a copy of Iniesta.
So, if need we need a new Iniesta, I would put my money on him.
(Also, this guy is very smart, understands the game, high footballing IQ, he has 0% of diva-arrogant or social media-attitude. Even though he lacks some "balls" on the other hand in some moments)

But the questions are:
1. who is going to be our next president?
2. will Lucho stay?
3. will we play with the current style?
4. do we need a new Iniesta?
5. or we need some different Pogba-type midfielders?
Plus, he surely isn't at his prime yet right now. (That part is linked whether he is ready TODAY to lead our team, while we have Messi in his prime)

I like him, but there are 100s of questions about our team, president, a coach, style etc.
I don't have a clue what is our short-term or a long-term plan...

 

[Leo_Messi]

Watching Inter is a waste of life so I don't watch them. But is there actually any user here who watches Kovacic regularly and can tell me whether he is the "real deal" or not? Would he be able to replace a living legend such as Don Andrés on both the short and long run? How does he compare to the likes of Pogba, Koke, Pjanic, Gündogan etc. that we have been rumored with?

I have personally not watched him more than 4-5 times in the past 2 seasons and I don't feel that this is enough to form an opinion at all.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Watching Inter is a waste of life so I don't watch them. But is there actually any user here who watches Kovacic regularly and can tell me whether he is the "real deal" or not? Would he be able to replace a living legend such as Don Andrés on both the short and long run? How does he compare to the likes of Pogba, Koke, Pjanic, Gündogan etc. that we have been rumored with?

I have personally not watched him more than 4-5 times in the past 2 seasons and I don't feel that this is enough to form an opinion at all.

As I've said before, he has a lot of potential and he has games where it definitely shows. But as he is in a poor Inter team (and also not playing regularly, though I understand why) he's inconsistent. Not sure if he does the same for Croatia because I don't follow them but I think I remember hearing similar from a Croatian user here. I don't think too many would ever match Iniesta but if Kovacic's best form happened on a regular basis he could at least come close.

I feel it is the same story as Coutinho who struggled for consistency at Inter and now he is doing great at Liverpool. Ideally I would like Kova to stay at Inter but there need to be proper reinforcements who match his ambition. If that doesn't happen soon then it's probably better for his career if he goes elsewhere.

 

[Leo_Messi]

As I've said before, he has a lot of potential and he has games where it definitely shows. But as he is in a poor Inter team (and also not playing regularly, though I understand why) he's inconsistent. Not sure if he does the same for Croatia because I don't follow them but I think I remember hearing similar from a Croatian user here. I don't think too many would ever match Iniesta but if Kovacic's best form happened on a regular basis he could at least come close.

I feel it is the same story as Coutinho who struggled for consistency at Inter and now he is doing great at Liverpool. Ideally I would like Kova to stay at Inter but there need to be proper reinforcements who match his ambition. If that doesn't happen soon then it's probably better for his career if he goes elsewhere.

Thanks for the answer XaviMessiGirl. Mancini's tactical decisions have been difficult to understand. I have no idea why Thohir appointed him in the first place but I can't say that I am sad about it.

Yes, Coutinho seems like a good comparison. I would not actually be against us buying him but then a player in the mould of Gündogan should be bought in the same transfer window as well. If the board or upcoming board go for Pogba or Koke then I could very well see them going for Tielemans too. I prefer the second option.

 

[anguy]

Watching Inter is a waste of life so I don't watch them. But is there actually any user here who watches Kovacic regularly and can tell me whether he is the "real deal" or not? Would he be able to replace a living legend such as Don Andrés on both the short and long run? How does he compare to the likes of Pogba, Koke, Pjanic, Gündogan etc. that we have been rumored with?

His playing style is really quite similar to Iniesta, that's why they are compared he is right footed good dribbler and stronger physically, has worse ball control and passing. He also played a DM in 4-2-3-1 before, but is best suited for AM. Also his development seems to have stalled a little bit lately. He became a sub in last 6 months or so. I want him, but mainly for potential and he could be cheap (because he's not starting and doesn't have such hype around him like Pogba for example).

Gundogan is different player really, he's like Xavi. Pjanic is someone I like I believe he can play both AM and CM and is more mature, developed player has better long passes.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Thanks for the answer XaviMessiGirl. Mancini's tactical decisions have been difficult to understand. I have no idea why Thohir appointed him in the first place but I can't say that I am sad about it.

Yes, Coutinho seems like a good comparison. I would not actually be against us buying him but then a player in the mould of Gündogan should be bought in the same transfer window as well. If the board or upcoming board go for Pogba or Koke then I could very well see them going for Tielemans too. I prefer the second option.

I guess you are milanista, so likewise I'm not sad about your predicaments either. But about Mancini, I don't want to make any judgments until some time into next season, the team he inherited I'm sure isn't ideal for him. And anything is better than clueless whining Mazzarri.

As for midfield options for Barca I would rather have Koke than Pogba, Koke has proven La Liga experience and would cost less. I just have this feeling Pogba would come up short and not be worth nearly as much as we'd pay for him.

 

[dakt]

Ariedo Braida was watching Kovacic on the last Inter's game against Milan. He just might be on our door steps.

 

[serghei]

I like him. As our 2nd midfield signing he would be excellent. He will become better in a better team.

 

[BBZ8800]

La Gazzette dello Sport says that Inter will probably accept an offer from Liverpool for Kovacic

 

[Gasgas]

La Gazzette dello Sport says that Inter will probably accept an offer from Liverpool for Kovacic

Why are you sad?
I dont think he is not ready for barca level. He is too raw, and inconsistent despite his talent.
I would prefer younger players who can improve us now and are more likely to get even better like pogba verratti (unfortunately he is unobtainable), and koke

 

[Barcaman]

You obviously don't know a clue about Kovacic when you are comfortable spouting that you prefer "younger players" than Kovačić.
You don't even know his age and I bet you never watched Inter full match.

Just spouting bullshit to spite bbz.

 

[AnfieldEd]

LOL we have zero chance of signing him. Zero.