“Wouldn’t say” – Graham Potter offers injury update on Mateo Kovacic

Graham Potter admits Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is not 100% fit

Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the Carabao cup clash between Manchester City and Chelsea, as quoted by Football. London, Blues boss Graham Potter has revealed that Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic is carrying a knee injury and that he is not necessarily 100% fit.

Kovacic has been playing a lot of football recently after missing out on the early parts of the campaign. He is a key cog for the Blues and offers something very different from the other Chelsea midfielders and has a huge influence on the pitch whenever he plays.

Potter had revealed earlier that Kovacic is playing through an injury and he has now reiterated that fact. He claims that the Croatian is expected to be fit for the World Cup and that he is able to continue playing football despite the injury to his knee.

The 28-year-old midfielder has played 15 times for the Blues this season across all competitions scoring one goal and providing one assist till now. However, the Croatian star is much more than just numbers and his impact on the team cannot be undermined.

Injury troubles are not new for the talented midfielder. The former Real Madrid starlet has always been at the wrong end of injuries during his time at Stamford Bridge. However, whenever he plays, he shows his quality and that has been one of his highlights.

Speaking about Kovacic, Potter said that the Croatian was a top professional and has been managing his injury so well till now.

“He’s just had an ongoing knee issue that is a little bit of discomfort. He’ll be fine for the World Cup. I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s 100%, but he’s not far off that. It’s just we’ve managed it really well. Fantastic professional”

Kovacic is one of those players who have a strange career in the fact that he is always very highly rated by the managers who coach him but he does not necessarily get the plaudits for his impressive performances from the supporters.

It is no coincidence that in the space of a few seasons, the Croatian has already convinced Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and now Graham Potter and impressed one and all with his work ethic and his displays on the field.

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Kovacic along with Luka Modric are the heartbeat of the Croatian team and they will be key to whatever good the Croatians do in the World Cup. Let’s see how this injury pans out but the Blues will be hoping Kovacic can be fit for the rest of the season.