MATEO KOVACIC NEWS

Chelsea beats Leicester 3-1 away to ease pressure on Potter

Chelsea has continued its recent revival under Graham Potter with a 3-1 win at Leicester in the English Premier League, making it three straight wins in all competitions for the Lo...

MARCH 11, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Busy in win Kovacic created one chance and made two interceptions during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Dortmund.

Impact Kovacic was right back at the center of the midfield and controlled the match throughout, creating a chance and doing his duty defensively. The midfielder is back in the starting XI after an illness saw him sidelined against Tottenham. When fit and available Kovacic has been a nailed-on piece of the starting XI.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Leeds Kovacic (illness) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Leeds United.

Impact Kovacic was expected to return Saturday and immediately jumps into the starting lineup. He'll play alongside Enzo Fernandez as the CM duo in a 3-4-3 setting.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could return after illness Kovacic (illness) could be available for selection in Saturday's clash against Leeds United, Chelsea announced Friday.

Impact Kovacic missed last weekend's defeat against Tottenham due to an illness, but he has recovered and could be called straight back into the starting lineup on Saturday as Mason Mount (abdomen) and Reece James (hamstring) are both doubts with injuries.

MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes shot in loss Kovacic took a shot and created a chance in last weekend's 1-0 defeat against Southampton. He also won one of one tackles in the match.

Impact Kovacic made his first Premier League appearance in over a month last weekend after recovering from a calf injury. He started the match and played the full 90 minutes from midfield but it wasn't enough to prevent an upset defeat to Southampton.

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Left on bench in UCL loss Kovacic was an unused substitute in Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat against Borussia Dortmund.

Impact Kovacic returned to Chelsea's squad on Wednesday but he did not feature in the tight loss to Dortmund in the Round of 16 first leg, with Enzo Fernandez and Ruben Loftus-Cheek getting the starts in defensive midfield instead.

FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Called up for UCL match Kovacic (calf) was called up by Chelsea for Wednesday's Champions League Round of 16 clash against Borussia Dortmund.

Impact Kovacic has missed his side's last three games with a calf injury, but he should be available for selection on Wednesday. He had started just two of Chelsea's five Premier League matches coming back from the World Cup break prior to his injury.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined Saturday Kovacic (calf) will be unavailable versus West Ham United on Saturday. Manager Graham Potter told reporters, "Apart from that, Mateo's training with the team, but it will be too so...

Impact Coming back from World Cup duty with Croatia, Kovacic has started just two of his four appearances in which he recorded four shots (zero on target), six tackles (five won) and two chances created. When he does return to action, Kovacic's primary fantasy value will come in the form of defensive stats, especially considering he has just one shot on target in his last 14 contests.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria return to training after recent injuries Chelsea duo Mateo Kovacic and Denis Zakaria have returned to training ahead of their game against West Ham this Saturday. Kovacic had missed...

FEBRUARY 9, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Out with calf injury Kovacic (calf) has been ruled out of Friday's clash against Fulham due to injury, Chelsea manager Graham Potter announced Thursday.

Impact Kovacic will miss a second consecutive game Friday with a calf injury he suffered in January. With N'Golo Kante (hamstring) and Denis Zakaria (quadriceps) also still out, any one of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Lewis Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka or even new signing Enzo Fernandez could replace him in midfield versus Fulham.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Among substitutes on Sunday Kovacic is fit and in the match day squad to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Impact Kovacic returns after being given extra rest following his third place finish with Croatia at the World Cup. The midfielder starts from the bench but is available if called upon Sunday.

JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

In contention Sunday Kovacic (rest) has rejoined the squad and should be in contention versus Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Manager Graham Potter told reporters, "'Both of those guys will be back."

Impact Kovacic started just three of the club's last seven matches before the World Cup break in which he generated one goal on six shots (one on target), two crosses (one accurate) and six chances created. Still, the midfielder should get plenty of opportunities to start and produce in the offensive third, even if he isn't featuring in every single match.

DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hasn't rejoined squad yet Kovacic hasn't rejoined the club since competing in Qatar and "won't be available for the game" against Bournemouth on 27 December, per coach Graham Potter.

Impact Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech, the two Chelsea players that went farthest in the World Cup, have not yet rejoined the squad. According to Potter, "it's important to give them a little bit of time." Given these absences in the midfield, it's likely that Conor Gallagher and even Denis Zakaria see extended run Monday and perhaps beyond.

DECEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Premier League, European clubs prepare for World Cup fallout

The tournament in Qatar has been described by FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the “best World Cup ever.”

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Croatia should return to World Cup contention, even without Luka Modrić

With a strong young core to build upon, Croatia can start to plan for the next steps without iconic midfielder Luka Modrić.

DECEMBER 13, 2022

Wins three tackles against Brazil Kovacic won three-of-four tackles during Friday's win over Brazil after penalties.

Impact Kovacic has made seven tackles over two knockout rounds, winning six and conceding a yellow card. With Ivan Perisic still in exceptional form, Kovacic hasn't been asked to make the same attacking contributions as Luka Modric in midfield.

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wins three tackles in loss Kovacic won three-of-three tackles and conceded a yellow card during 99 minutes of Monday's win over Japan after penalties.

Impact Kovacic has featured heavily in a midfield trio with Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic during a strong run in the World Cup. With 11 tackles made and five chances created, much of the work of Kovacic has been on the defensive end.

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

World Cup 2022 odds: How to bet Croatia-Brazil quarterfinals

Here's how to bet the Croatia-Brazil match, from the moneyline, draw, Over/Under total odds and expert pick from Doug McIntyre.

DECEMBER 7, 2022

World Cup 2022 odds: How to bet Japan vs. Croatia

Here's how to bet the Japan-Croatia match, from the moneyline, draw, and Over/Under total odds

DECEMBER 5, 2022

Takes shot in draw Kovacic took a shot and created a chance in Thursday's 0-0 draw against Belgium. He also made a clearance and an interception in the match.

Impact Kovacic started in all three of Croatia's group stage matches at this World Cup, with his standout performance coming in the 4-1 win over Canada.

DECEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

World Cup 2022 Group F Team Guides: Croatia

Luka Modrić led Croatia to the World Cup in 2018. How far will they go this year?

NOVEMBER 20, 2022

Features in cup match Kovacic played for the full 90 during Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the League Cup.

Impact Kovacic was reportedly dealing with a knee injury but came off the bench Sunday in the loss to Arsenal and looks to be in good shape ahead of the World Cup. Pending his role in Saturday's match at Newcastle, Kovacic is likely to be a starter for Croatia in Qatar if fully fit.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fighting through knee issue Kovacic continues to battle through a knee issue, according to manager Graham Potter. "He's just had an ongoing knee issue that's a little bit of discomfort, but it hasn't stopped...

Impact Kovacic went 12 minutes over the weekend and didn't play in the final match of group stages. He's unlikely to start Wednesday's Cup match, but with a few more days of training, it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in the starting XI for Saturday's trip to Newcastle.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available versus Arsenal Kovacic (calf) is a bench option for Sunday's game against Arsenal.

Impact Kovacic has quickly shaken off a calf injury that sidelined him midweek, but he will not get the start in this one, differently from his previous two appearances. Jorginho and Mason Mount are getting the nod in the midfield.

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Back in training Kovacic (calf) has resumed training in the lead-up to Sunday's matchup with Arsenal and is expected to be available. Manager Graham Potter told reporters, "Kovacic trained today so...

Impact Kovacic is poised to return following a one-game stint on the sidelines due to his calf problem. In his last five contests (three starts), the midfielder generated one goal on six shots (one on target), one cross (accurate) and seven tackles (four won).

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE