Mateo Kovačić

[BBZ8800]

BBZ, how so?

We have Messi, the best player in the history of universe and the player who makes the biggest difference EVER SEEN in a history in majority of biggest matches.
So, more or less, we are using "cheat codes", we have Messi, mate.

Also, we really have some worldclass players around him like Neymar, Suarez, Iniesta, Rakitic, Busi.

This is our best era in the history (because of Messi) and we should aim to win as many La Ligas and especially CLs while we have the little alien here.

So, don't worry for the short-term future.
Even with transfers of older players and even if we produce zero La Masia kids in the next 4-ish years, we will win a lot, but really, A LOT of trophies in the short term future.

But again, this fairy tale (Messi's lifespan) will end one day and then we will be just a regular mortals again, like Real, Bayern and Chelsea.

Real has some nice younger players, but as others have said, yes, 4-5 years is a long period.
More or less, about Kova, I am more sad because he could actually be more useful to us.
We could use him even now, but also in post-Messi's era.
While in Real, Kovacic won't be a starter today, and in Messi's era, he won't bring them anything.
And when Messi's era will be finished, who knows, maybe Real will already sell him (but his career will be dead by then).

So, I am not actually whining because Kovacic will steal titles from us, because he won't.
It is more like Modric's case. Kovacic and Modric were perfect midfielders for our style of play.
But once when Real steals them, they are more or less out of reach for us forever.

 

[Morten]

We have Messi, the best player in the history of universe and the player who makes the biggest difference EVER SEEN in a history in majority of biggest matches.
So, more or less, we are using "cheat codes", we have Messi, mate.

Also, we really have some worldclass players around him like Neymar, Suarez, Iniesta, Rakitic, Busi.

This is our best era in the history (because of Messi) and we should aim to win as many La Ligas and especially CLs while we have the little alien here.

So, don't worry for the short-term future.
Even with transfers of older players and even if we produce zero La Masia kids in the next 4-ish years, we will win a lot, but really, A LOT of trophies in the short term future.

But again, this fairy tale (Messi's lifespan) will end one day and then we will be just a regular mortals again, like Real, Bayern and Chelsea.

Real has some nice younger players, but as others have said, yes, 4-5 years is a long period.
More or less, about Kova, I am more sad because he could actually be more useful to us.
We could use him even now, but also in post-Messi's era.
While in Real, Kovacic won't be a starter today, and in Messi's era, he won't bring them anything.
And when Messi's era will be finished, who knows, maybe Real will already sell him (but his career will be dead by then).

So, I am not actually whining because Kovacic will steal titles from us, because he won't.
It is more like Modric's case. Kovacic and Modric were perfect midfielders for our style of play.
But once when Real steals them, they are more or less out of reach for us forever.

He has been very consistent with his magic during his career. But as for the best big game player ever? I dont know. He has made a difference in many, but he has also had poor matches. So does everyone, but its a bit hard to name one single player who has been the best in big games. Take Iniesta, he doesnt have that consistency Messi has, nor does he score much, but in big games he almost always delivered from what i remember, while i remember a few performances were Messi was non-existant.
And i dont blame Messi for Argentinas defeats over the years either, but he certainly wasnt in the God-mode he usually is in Barca. If he was, Barca would probably have won the world cup and copa america.

 

[raki]

Now even Modric can be injured and they have depth....We need to buy in January a player or 2. Pick very wisely. The question is: how will be in January 2016? Rough calendar ahead.

 

[Raed]

And name one of them who had a better career outside Real ? NONE...

We sold at the right time for massive profit & never had regrets footballing wise even last year without Di Maria it was the lack of rotation & Modric injury that affected us after the rampage of the first half ... so i don't know what your post prove ? except shrewd move

On individual basis the singings are good and make sense, including the sales. The problem is that the club does not have good relationship with the players or managers. The cultural policy, the chain of command, the entire "HR", the authority distribution, the management of resources, its all broken, except the finances. When you combine the departure of Xabi Alonso and Di Maria, the outcome is poor. On individual basis, we got a great sum for Xabi and Di Maria, their combined departure is poor. We also loaned out Casemiro so we were really left without depth at all. This killed us. On an individual base, Casemiro benefited a lot, so we get back a better player. On the whole? The midfield was destroyed, the one that played in the previous CL campaign that won us the title. We depended on two new comers, Toni and James, then Modric got injured, with no depth. So...good transfers, bad policy.

Ozil's departure makes sense as a sale out of context, but combine it with Bale and his fee, did it make sense in retrospect? No. There is solid ground to argue that Bale is not an upgrade at all. Ozil's problem is that he was mentally fragile compared to Di Maria (and Isco?) who wanted to fight for a position.

I have no problem with the James transfer, I love him. He is no Di Maria though (has its pros and cons). There really was no purpose in selling Morata when we have no depth and Jese just came back from a terrible injury. We ended up with Benzema unchallenged, and sometimes, lacking that bite.

 

[Raed]

As for Kovacic, the more I think about it, the more I love this signing. I complained before on how we have not many dribblers on the team, but we got one, and important one. Kroos for all his heroecs last season, I don't care for him as much, as he can only dribbled into space, or for the protection of the ball. We have Marcelo and Isco (ran with the ball more than Messi, more than anyone else from La Liga), the rest including James are not that great dribbling at great lengths. Carvajal is also good to be fair. Kovacic averaged more passes per game than our players in midfield.

I am not sure if his best position is to play the Modric role or not, I have my doubts, but he has the tools and skills, lets see.

 

[mehdimike]

Main Real Transfers Since 2010

2009-10 Season
1-Ronaldo : 2010-now
2-Kaka : 2010-2014, 4 Years
3-Xabi Alonso : 2010-15, 5 Years
4-Raúl Albiol : 2010-13, 4 Years
5-Benzema : 2010-now

2010-11 Season
6-Ángel Di María : 2011-15, 4 Years
7-Sami Khedira : 2011-16, 5 Years
8-Ozil : 2011-14, 3 Years

2011-12 Season
9-Nuri Şahin : 2012-13,1 Year
10-Raphaël Varane : 2012-now
11-Fábio Coentrão : 2012-now

2012-13 Season
12-Modric : 2013-now

2013-14 Season
13-Isco : 2014-now
14-Illarra : 2014-now
15-Bale : 2014-now

2014-15 Season
16-James : 2015-now
17-Kroos : 2015-now


From these 17 signing only sahin was sold after 1 season and we know his injury case/drama! that was an important factor.
11 of 17 are still playing and only ozil departed after a short time(even 3 years is enough IMO!)
And only illarra's signings was a failed transfer.

I only wanted to say that club/managers/perez give enough time to any talent,its just their will and choice to shine or not,to leave or not,to MAKE HISTORY or NOT!

 

[Luftstalag14]

We have Messi, the best player in the history of universe and the player who makes the biggest difference EVER SEEN in a history in majority of biggest matches.
So, more or less, we are using "cheat codes", we have Messi, mate.

Also, we really have some worldclass players around him like Neymar, Suarez, Iniesta, Rakitic, Busi.

This is our best era in the history (because of Messi) and we should aim to win as many La Ligas and especially CLs while we have the little alien here.

So, don't worry for the short-term future.
Even with transfers of older players and even if we produce zero La Masia kids in the next 4-ish years, we will win a lot, but really, A LOT of trophies in the short term future.

But again, this fairy tale (Messi's lifespan) will end one day and then we will be just a regular mortals again, like Real, Bayern and Chelsea.

Real has some nice younger players, but as others have said, yes, 4-5 years is a long period.
More or less, about Kova, I am more sad because he could actually be more useful to us.
We could use him even now, but also in post-Messi's era.
While in Real, Kovacic won't be a starter today, and in Messi's era, he won't bring them anything.
And when Messi's era will be finished, who knows, maybe Real will already sell him (but his career will be dead by then).

So, I am not actually whining because Kovacic will steal titles from us, because he won't.
It is more like Modric's case. Kovacic and Modric were perfect midfielders for our style of play.
But once when Real steals them, they are more or less out of reach for us forever.

I understand your logic, but just don't agree with the conclusion. Having Messi, or MSN, Ineista and Busquets etc. does not mean Real Madrid is screwed at all. Case in point last season.

Anyway, I think there is no shame in saying that we need to learn from Real Madrid in terms of building for the future.

 

[Morten]

I understand your logic, but just don't agree with the conclusion. Having Messi, or MSN, Ineista and Busquets etc. does not mean Real Madrid is screwed at all. Case in point last season.

Anyway, I think there is no shame in saying that we need to learn from Real Madrid in terms of building for the future.

No, but having Perez does mean we are screwed, however.

 

[Morten]

As for Kovacic, the more I think about it, the more I love this signing. I complained before on how we have not many dribblers on the team, but we got one, and important one. Kroos for all his heroecs last season, I don't care for him as much, as he can only dribbled into space, or for the protection of the ball. We have Marcelo and Isco (ran with the ball more than Messi, more than anyone else from La Liga), the rest including James are not that great dribbling at great lengths. Carvajal is also good to be fair. Kovacic averaged more passes per game than our players in midfield.

I am not sure if his best position is to play the Modric role or not, I have my doubts, but he has the tools and skills, lets see.

Dribblers on the team are not a problem, dribblers in the front three is. We have many good driblers in midfield/lb. So this signing doesnt help much with that.

 

[MaxY]

Dribblers on the team are not a problem, dribblers in the front three is. We have many good driblers in midfield/lb. So this signing doesnt help much with that.

It does. The only ones with good dribbling are like Modrić and Isco. Ronaldo,Benz and Bale are terrible so yeah,our front three sucks at dribbling. But the thing is that it isn't much different in the MF. Except Modrić and Isco the rest are just average at best. You can't call James or Kroos good dribblers imo.

 

[Morten]

It does. The only ones with good dribbling are like Modrić and Isco. Ronaldo,Benz and Bale are terrible so yeah,our front three sucks at dribbling. But the thing is that it isn't much different in the MF. Except Modrić and Isco the rest are just average at best. You can't call James or Kroos good dribblers imo.

You forgot Marcelo, one of our best dribblers. So we got Isco, Modric and Marcelo who are great dribblers, James and Kroos are ok.

 

[CuleLife4Life]

Talking about Kovacic, Real Madrid are and will be buying more players in Ødegaard's position. Maybe he should've waited a bit before jumping the gun on the RM move. Wouldn't have hurt if he stayed here with Godset another year. I'm sure they would have been delighted to keep him for a bit longer.

From what I've seen and read, Kovacic is Modric and Kroos's direct replacement. He won't be used as a 10.

And from what I remember of Inter, the kid played everywhere in midfield. I think that may be a problem though because it looks like he still hasn't had a defined "role" in midifield but at 21, that isn't really a big deal.

Though I do highly doubt Odegaard will ever consistently play for Real's first team too but for other reasons.

 

[Beast]

On individual basis the singings are good and make sense, including the sales. The problem is that the club does not have good relationship with the players or managers. The cultural policy, the chain of command, the entire "HR", the authority distribution, the management of resources, its all broken, except the finances. When you combine the departure of Xabi Alonso and Di Maria, the outcome is poor. On individual basis, we got a great sum for Xabi and Di Maria, their combined departure is poor. We also loaned out Casemiro so we were really left without depth at all. This killed us. On an individual base, Casemiro benefited a lot, so we get back a better player. On the whole? The midfield was destroyed, the one that played in the previous CL campaign that won us the title. We depended on two new comers, Toni and James, then Modric got injured, with no depth. So...good transfers, bad policy.

Ozil's departure makes sense as a sale out of context, but combine it with Bale and his fee, did it make sense in retrospect? No. There is solid ground to argue that Bale is not an upgrade at all. Ozil's problem is that he was mentally fragile compared to Di Maria (and Isco?) who wanted to fight for a position.

I have no problem with the James transfer, I love him. He is no Di Maria though (has its pros and cons). There really was no purpose in selling Morata when we have no depth and Jese just came back from a terrible injury. We ended up with Benzema unchallenged, and sometimes, lacking that bite.

Sometimes i wonder if staying too long in Canada has dropped the blood supply to your brains buddy... it's getting scary with your latest posts

Selling Xabi at that age for that amount .. making hell lot of money from Ozil , Higuain , Di Maria ...
Xabi was old and getting clumsy * you can see what it matters the most for Bayern last season * .. he can dominate the small games but big games need younger legs... i will not forget he could have costed us the final with his dumbest yellow card in the semi-final second leg when the result was way beyond any team reach... we had to play Khedira... i say no more
Di Maria one of the bright stars of La Decima season but as far as it pains me it looks like we were right to sell moreover when you say poor you easily disregard how we smoked every tom , dick & harry for half a season including an emphatic & convincing win over the treble winners Barcelona.. we were way ahead in the driver seat until fatigue struck in & that's basically Carlo problem.. for so many games the results were fine he could have rested both Kroos & Modric... last year was not about missing Di Maria hell we played even better with James but it was a poor management by Carlo and probably nothing triggered his departure except looking back at how the team fell flat in 2-3 month of the second half of the season..

As for Ozil are you kidding me ? fragile ? Ozil 5 AM nightlife & poor fitness (remember he never played well over 60 minutes in any game )was reported extensively in the Spanish press... i remember Cule's here were laughing when we sent him packing eventually whoever replaced him was influential in both trophies won when he left including the much coveted la decima.. and Isco provided much more consistency ..
As for Bale replacing Ozil.. as i said it seems there is lack of blood flow to the brains my friend due to Canada weather...

Mourinho = 4-2-3-1 = Ozil is the AM
Carlo = 4-3-3 = No AM in the first season = Bale-Ronaldo-Benzema front 3 , Xabi-Modric-Di Maria midfield...

So Bale was not an upgrade to Ozil.. he is BETTER THAN OZIL in Carlo 4-3-3 formation & Ozil would have struggled both with fitness and as RW

as for the front part

Real Madrid is by far the best run club in the world..
I wonder if you know how close is the relation between Perez & Ronaldo /Benzema? or how Jose angel Sanchez (the Bad cop to Perez good cop ) and Mourinho who still rave about his relation with both ?
Under Perez he gets the Galactico's the manager gets the rest ... advisers such as Zidane played a huge role in getting Varane and elevating Benzema to another level

The club loan a young gun for a year and see if he is worth it is pretty successful on all fronts ..either he makes it & return ala De La Red , Carvajal , Casemiro or prove he is not on the same level (or not needed at the time) and the club makes big money out of him ala Soldado, Negredo etc

compare that to all the failed attempts to copy us from big guns... take Barca from Gabi to Bojan all the way to Denis Suarez & Def. etc or United's Wilfried Zaha or Macheda etc

The buyback clause is now standard for big teams ..

you can say we don't meet the required sport success but management wise..99.9% of other clubs would love to be run as successful as we are ... if Barcelona didn't have their best generation in history Real would probably have won 2-3 more Champions league and 5-6 liga's but it's their time the fact that we did manage leagues under the nose of Messi-Xavi-Ronaldinho and co and even got our Champions league says it all... it is the Barcelona era in the past decade and we do have to acknowledge that as well as acknowledging Messi will probably go down in history as the best ever ... it's an unusual circumstances but happens every once in a blue moon like our Di Stefano team , Cruyff Ajax team , the Caesar Bayern Munich team , The Dutch trio Milan team.. it just happens that's why such teams are memorable

As for Kovacic, the more I think about it, the more I love this signing. I complained before on how we have not many dribblers on the team, but we got one, and important one. Kroos for all his heroecs last season, I don't care for him as much, as he can only dribbled into space, or for the protection of the ball. We have Marcelo and Isco (ran with the ball more than Messi, more than anyone else from La Liga), the rest including James are not that great dribbling at great lengths. Carvajal is also good to be fair. Kovacic averaged more passes per game than our players in midfield.

I am not sure if his best position is to play the Modric role or not, I have my doubts, but he has the tools and skills, lets see.

Man it's not about dribblers.. it's about moving with the ball the way Modric do.. a box to box who can hold the ball well and gain space
James is a great dribbler but different set of skills.. he is more latin .. Kova especially his roulette dribbles remind me more of Zidane because he keeps the ball within his legs away from defenders reach.. anyhow he is an exciting talent & we'll wait to see how he develops

 

[Beast]

I have said before, Real is screwed for the next 3-4-5 years and our current transfers are good (Arda especially. He is a better pick than my favorite Kova. For THIS era).
But yes, when Messi will be gone, new era will start, and Real are having better prospects for THAT moment.

Again, we are safe for the next 4+ years.
Anyway, my wish would be to avoid signings of D. Suarez, Halil, Gerson and similar and to try to buy some "real deal" in the next 4 years, so that our future AFTER Messi will also look better.

Mats and Neymar are the only younger players bought in the last 3-4 years who are a real deal.
We will need more of those, and less Gerson's.

3-4-5 years ? as if we didn't win the champions league last year ... you make it sound like we have won anything for 20 years..
I don't trust Rafa to deliver but if you think you will still be on top for the next 3 years.. i have my doubts.. age is not kind to any player (see Ronaldo )

Yeah like Real Madrid is famous for signing players to show for 5 years later. They don't merely sign the young players for the reason you mention. They sign them to make a profit by selling them some years later. Good luck seeing even half of these so called 'future' of Real Madrid wearing the same jersey when Messi is gone.

Like how Marcelo & Ramos been here for 10 years ? you do realize you only have in your team Messi & Iniesta only who stayed as long as them right ?
Good so we are like Spurs .. we didn't win La liga 4 years ago or the champions league a year ago...
But i guess another resident Madridista already pushed a list of the current team and who long they stayed

This "signing young players for later"-thing never works, lets be honest. They never improved without regular starting time.
Right now I cant really think of a talent who was bought, kept in the club for some years as a sub and then used as a starter later because he actually improved. Maybe there are counter-examples but I cant think of one. Kovacic has basically half a month, to instantly mesmerize the spectators, otherwise he will get benched with that midfield competition and since he has signed a 6yr contract, that would be his career end.

People always forget that Modric is 30 years now and his injuries are starting to occur more often than his playing time
since his Jan injury .. he came back & got injured after 4-5 games till the end of the season & got injured again early in pre-season (though minor one )

Would we do like last year and lose more points after doing so great in the first half ? people said the same thing about Isco in La Decima season & he proved a big hit till now...

 

[Beast]

Main Real Transfers Since 2010

2009-10 Season
1-Ronaldo : 2010-now
2-Kaka : 2010-2014, 4 Years
3-Xabi Alonso : 2010-15, 5 Years
4-Raúl Albiol : 2010-13, 4 Years
5-Benzema : 2010-now

2010-11 Season
6-Ángel Di María : 2011-15, 4 Years
7-Sami Khedira : 2011-16, 5 Years
8-Ozil : 2011-14, 3 Years

2011-12 Season
9-Nuri Şahin : 2012-13,1 Year
10-Raphaël Varane : 2012-now
11-Fábio Coentrão : 2012-now

2012-13 Season
12-Modric : 2013-now

2013-14 Season
13-Isco : 2014-now
14-Illarra : 2014-now
15-Bale : 2014-now

2014-15 Season
16-James : 2015-now
17-Kroos : 2015-now


From these 17 signing only sahin was sold after 1 season and we know his injury case/drama! that was an important factor.
11 of 17 are still playing and only ozil departed after a short time(even 3 years is enough IMO!)
And only illarra's signings was a failed transfer.

I only wanted to say that club/managers/perez give enough time to any talent,its just their will and choice to shine or not,to leave or not,to MAKE HISTORY or NOT!

Excellent work man... people have fish memories here