“I’ll be sad to see him leave” – Frank Leboeuf warn Chelsea star not to leave Stamford Bridge
Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf has doubts that Mateo Kovacic will be a starter at Manchester City if he joins the Premier League champions.
According to reports, Manchester City have held positive talks with Kovacic’s representatives over a potential transfer. It seems that the midfielder may be heading to the Etihad.
Leboeuf has questioned the reasoning behind Kovacic joining Pep Guardiola’s side as he doesn’t think he will break into the starting lineup. He told Si & Dan Talk Chelsea:
“If he goes to City, where is he going to play? Is he going to start over Rodri for example? No, I don’t think so. Do you want to play 20 games a season at City, or go to another team playing 50 games a season?”
Kovacic featured 37 times across competitions this season for Chelsea, scoring two goals and providing as many assists. He has been a mainstay in the Blues’ side since joining permanently from Real Madrid in 2019.
Leboeuf has admitted that he will be sad to see the Croatian leave as he reckons he has grown into a top talent at Stamford Bridge. He added:
“I’ll be sad to see him leave. When he came from Real Madrid he wasn’t the player that he developed in to at Chelsea a few years after. I have enjoyed seeing him play for Chelsea though, I think he fought for the club.”
Kovacic has won the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Europa League during his time in west London. He has a tall order in displacing Rodri in the City side if he does join the Premier League champions.
However, Guardiola’s success has come from rotation with the Cityzens boasting strength in depth. Kovacic would be an experienced head who could come straight into the starting lineup.