Kovacic: “In Madrid I didn’t get the continuity I needed”

Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who spent three seasons with Real Madrid, talked to Chelsea’s official website and discussed the reasons behind his move away from the Spanish capital.

“That has also been a bit of a problem in my career. Everything happened too fast for me. I had three great and difficult years in Madrid. I played, didn’t play, I didn’t get the continuity that I needed and what I have now here. I enjoyed it, we won three Champions Leagues, but Chelsea is coming in the best moment of my career. It has been the most important switch for now and I’m really pleased with that,” said Kovacic.

The Croatian midfielder forced his way out of Real Madrid on a loan deal in the summer of 2018 and after his loan deal in Chelsea expired, his move was made permanent after the clubs reached a €45 million agreement this summer.

Kovacic appeared set to be Luka Modric’s long-term replacement in Madrid had he stayed patient. While it’s true that sometimes he struggled from a tactical standpoint, he is still 25 years old and could’ve been a relevant player in the club. However, Kovacic decided to leave and find minutes elsewhere.

So far, he’s been a solid player for Chelsea and it will be interesting to see if he can reach the potential he had and become one of Europe’s best midfielders.