Mateo Kovacic of Croatia celebrates against Canada. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Serie A side Juventus are hoping to make a swap deal involving Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic and Juve loanee Denis Zakaria this summer.
According to Italian outlet CalcioMercato Web (via Football.London), Juventus are interested in signing the Croatian midfielder and offering Denis Zakaria to West Londoners in exchange.
Injuries to N’Golo Kante this season forced Chelsea to sign a midfielder in the summer, as Chelsea acquired the Swiss midfielder from Juventus on loan.
Following his arrival, the 26-year-old’s playing time has dwindled due to injuries and the manager’s lack of trust. He has played in just four Premier League games, and Chelsea doesn’t seem to be keen to keep him when his loan period is through.
Kovacic has seen more playing time as he has appeared in 15 league games this term and Graham Potter continues to have faith in him. However, Chelsea might add more midfielders in the summer, which might reduce Croatian playing time.
However, it’s doubtful that he will be prepared to join Juventus given their ongoing financial issues, which have resulted in a major exodus of club officials and a deduction of 15 points.
They’re in disarray, so joining them wouldn’t be a good idea, but the Croatian can be essential for them as they try to start over and the Cubs strive to finish in the top four.
In addition, Potter may still make use of the 28-year-old because he still has many positive traits and might work well with Enzo Fernandez after Conor Gallagher struggled to have a positive effect on the game against Fulham from the middle.
The majority of the ball recovery passes, and tackles were done by the Argentine, so Potter can try a different strategy by using Kovacic and Fernandez and see how things turn out.
The 2018 World Cup runner-up should be utilised to the fullest extent possible because Kovacic is a vital member of the team who works quietly, but brilliantly. Zakaria just hasn’t shown enough to warrant being here over the Croatia international.
This is a deal we would be wise to say no to. The former Real Madrid central midfielder is one of the finest at what he does. If we want Zakaria that bad, then it would be a better proposition to try and sign him outright without seeing a first-team star leave.
Jadon Sancho has hit the ground running in his season-long loan at Chelsea, with the Blues eyeing a permanent deal…
Chelsea appear to be rediscovering their form under Enzo Maresca, aiming for a top-four finish as they currently sit third…
In their bid to further bolster their defense, Chelsea are aiming to make a big move for the star right-back…
Christopher Nkunku is keen to leave Chelsea in January over lack of game time in the Premier League There has…
Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres is on the radar of Chelsea Chelsea are riding high in the Premier League, sitting…
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca eyeing defensive reinforcements in January Chelsea could well find themselves in the market to improve their…