What's new

Mateo Kovacic

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
11,234
46,574
We don't know that Kovacic is viewed as surplus by Real Madrid. Zidane has gone and they have a brand new coach, who has yet to select a team for a competitive match.

Yes, we can assume that Casemiro, Kroos and Luka are first choice. But three midfielders won't get them through the season, and it may be that Lopetegui sees Kovacic as first rotation option, with the hope that he can replace Modric in time.
Isn't it pretty well understood that Isco and Asensio are favorites of the new coach? Everyone will say Asensio is a winger but he grew up playing AM if I remember correctly so I don't rule him out of that rotation. They also just bought Ceballos last year who was very highly rated and have another Castilla graduate in Llorente that is highly rated in the rotation as well. I see no reason why Real Madrid are going to stay firm on Kovacic staying out of all the players they have let leave over the years.
 

yanno

Well-Known Member
Aug 1, 2003
5,857
2,877
Isn't it pretty well understood that Isco and Asensio are favorites of the new coach? Everyone will say Asensio is a winger but he grew up playing AM if I remember correctly so I don't rule him out of that rotation. They also just bought Ceballos last year who was very highly rated and have another Castilla graduate in Llorente that is highly rated in the rotation as well. I see no reason why Real Madrid are going to stay firm on Kovacic staying out of all the players they have let leave over the years.

Last season Madrid typically played a 4-3-3 or a diamond with Isco at the tip.

Asensio played up top, usually out wide in a 3, and Isco played far more as an AM.

But the core was Casemiro holding with Luka and Kroos as the CMs, with Kovacic getting minutes from the bench.

I can't remember a single game when Isco played as a proper CM.

EDIT: They did occasionally play a bizarre 4-4-2 with Lucas Vasquez at RM.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,391
It just makes so much sense for all parties involved. Kovacic is surplus to requirements for Real, he's won a ton of trophies and now he wants to play week in and week out.

Unfortunately I don't see any way Levy will spend what's required to land him. There could be a flurry of activity but I'd be very surprised if it was anything more than the famous 'we tried but couldn't get it done' scenario when we allegedly tried for Aguero. Have to wait and see I guess but this transfer window has busted flush written all over it. Glad I don't fork out for a season ticket.
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
11,234
46,574
Last season Madrid typically played a 4-3-3 or a diamond with Isco at the tip.

Asensio played up top, usually out wide in a 3, and Isco played far more as an AM.

But the core was Casemiro holding with Luka and Kroos as the CMs, with Kovacic getting minutes from the bench.

I can't remember a single game when Isco played as a proper CM.

EDIT: They did occasionally play a bizarre 4-4-2 with Lucas Vasquez at RM.
If you trust Transfer Market Isco was pretty clearly the first choice replacement for Modric & Kroos. He rotated with Bale for starting minutes but if there was a game where one of those guys was out it seems that Isco was first choice. Kovacic rotated with Casemiro for the most part from what I can tell.
 

Colonel Dax

Well-Known Member
Jul 24, 2008
2,946
12,289
Kovacic is one of very few players who could restore a bit of faith in our transfer dealings this window. I have a miniscule amount of optimism left in all honesty.

Agreed. Baffling and worrisome window so far, but get this guy in and all will be forgiven!

Won't happen though.
 

YiddoInPoland

You got some statistical evidence to back that up?
Aug 6, 2011
3,041
6,409
JJ has said on twitter that this transfer window will end basically like the others (also said market is worse then ever), so not sure where the optimism for Kovacic, Martial and anyone else seems realistic,when was the last window like that, Bale to RM summer you could argue,but no others.

All a bit weird this window,
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
11,234
46,574
JJ has said on twitter that this transfer window will end basically like the others (also said market is worse then ever), so not sure where the optimism for Kovacic, Martial and anyone else seems realistic,when was the last window like that, Bale to RM summer you could argue,but no others.

All a bit weird this window,
I agree, just holding out for some sort of shining light at the end of the tunnel.
 

synththfc

Well-Known Member
Aug 24, 2017
3,740
26,716
JJ has said on twitter that this transfer window will end basically like the others (also said market is worse then ever), so not sure where the optimism for Kovacic, Martial and anyone else seems realistic,when was the last window like that, Bale to RM summer you could argue,but no others.

All a bit weird this window,

IF this is the case, I'm expecting one first XI player, a young player or two, and the rest as squad filler(if there is a rest)
 

doctor stefan Freud

the tired tread of sad biology
Sep 2, 2013
15,170
72,169
JJ has said on twitter that this transfer window will end basically like the others (also said market is worse then ever), so not sure where the optimism for Kovacic, Martial and anyone else seems realistic,when was the last window like that, Bale to RM summer you could argue,but no others.

All a bit weird this window,
Is that a recent tweet? I don't do Twitter- if that is the case, then this will go down as an awful window when, given the circumstances, it should have been one of the best
 

whitelanefever

Well-Known Member
Aug 21, 2012
2,149
2,855
JJ has said on twitter that this transfer window will end basically like the others (also said market is worse then ever), so not sure where the optimism for Kovacic, Martial and anyone else seems realistic,when was the last window like that, Bale to RM summer you could argue,but no others.

All a bit weird this window,
So Doucare & a google winger it is then
 

yanno

Well-Known Member
Aug 1, 2003
5,857
2,877
Jesus, what a fuck up. Where is the fabled 150-170 million war chest? The market being difficult hasn't stopped our direct competitors from strengthening

It started with £70m for Toby, £30m (allegedly the agreed Chinese fee) for Dembele, plus another £20-30m for our fringe players.
 

Indisguise

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2012
7,996
23,386
Here's what JJ actually said:

1532977056989.png
 

Darrkespur

Resident scientist
Jun 8, 2003
2,510
1,998
There is probably not a light at the end of this tunnel. This window is calamitous.
I can remember other world cup year transfer windows a bit like this one, where nothing much happened for ages, and then the last few days were absolutely bonkers. Add in the new earlier date and I'm sure there's more poker games going on than normal. A lot can happen on the last day even.
 

Ghost Hardware

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
18,000
61,606
The more I think about it, the more I really don't see us getting a CM. I can't help but feel all our business hinges on the Martial/Toby transfer. I just have no idea who we get if Toby goes. Had a sneaking suspicion it would have been Mawson but he seems to be going to Fulham. If we don't get Martial I don't see us getting anyone of note.
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
11,234
46,574
The more I think about it, the more I really don't see us getting a CM. I can't help but feel all our business hinges on the Martial/Toby transfer. I just have no idea who we get if Toby goes. Had a sneaking suspicion it would have been Mawson but he seems to be going to Fulham. If we don't get Martial I don't see us getting anyone of note.
I don't fully disagree, I just really hope the club realizes what needs to be done. Surely they don't suspect, Poch, the players and the fans will be happy with little to nothing in the transfer market.
 
Top