In Focus: Kovacic can be driving force in new City engine room

Mateo Kovacic will form part of a new-look Manchester City midfield next season. 

The Croatian has signed from Chelsea for an initial fee of £25million, which could rise to £30m with add-ons. 

With Ilkay Gundogan joining Barcelona and Bernardo Silva also expected to depart this summer, Pep Guardiola's team were in need of reinforcements. 

Ahead of City's pre-season campaign kicking off in July, we take a look at where the 29-year-old will fit and what he can offer. 

Gundogan replacement

Kovacic was a target for Guardiola this summer — regardless of whether Gundogan stayed or not. 

The German's decision to move on has left a big hole in the Catalan tactician's midfield. Silva would have been a worthy replacement, but he also seems set to leave this summer. 

Possible moves for Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice have not materialised. All of this adds up to the new signing looking likely to be given an early opportunity to make Gundogan's role his own. 

Other options to play in the left-sided No8 duties are Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez, but neither provide the combination of defensive and offensive qualities that the former Chelsea midfielder brings. 

For years, the German expertly balanced the requirement of being able to drop deep to take possession with making forays into the opposition's half. 

Kovacic's skillset suggests that he will be able to do the same, albeit in a different way. 

Driving force

While Gundogan tended to move the ball forward with intelligent vertical passes, Kovacic tends to carry it himself. 

The 95-cap international has proved himself adept at taking possession in tight spaces and moving past players, though he may have to do that in different areas for the Citizens. 

John Stones' introduction into Guardiola's midfield, with three central defenders covering behind, meant that there was less emphasis on Gundogan dropping deep. 

He was enabled to operate higher up the field, resulting in a glut of goals and assists in the second half of last season. 

Kovacic may be unlikely to be as productive as his predecessor in this regard, but he has the talent to be a threat in the final third.

Room for improvement

With Kovacic being 29, he is a signing that will deliver now rather than the future. 

It can take time for new players to adapt to Guardiola's methods, however, especially when it comes to what is required out of possession. 

The former Real Madrid playmaker was interviewed shortly after joining City and he expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge. 

He said: "I came here to this great club with an amazing manager to learn and to improve my understanding of football and to try to be the best version of myself. 

"I think there is always room for improvement and when you are in such an amazing squad that tends to have the ball a lot and to play and keep the ball all the time, you can improve a lot. 

"So, that's my aim. To improve, to learn and win trophies with City."