Mateo Kovacic - Finding his feet and beginning to shine in Chelsea blue.

When it was officially announced by Chelsea that they had agreed a deal to sign Mateo Kovacic on a season-long loan from Real Madrid I personally felt that it was a massive signing. Now, two months later the 24-year-old Croatian is beginning to shine in our midfield. 

It must have been hard for Kovacic at Real Madrid knowing that he would have to settle for a role as back-up to their first team starters last season. As I say, he is 24-years old now and at a crucial time in his career where he needs to be playing week-in, week out. The same is obviously said of Ruben Loftus-Cheek but he is 22-years-old and still has time on his side.

Having impressed at the World Cup by finishing runners-up to France with Croatia, Kovacic was given the opportunity to sign for Chelsea on loan and jumped at the opportunity. Whether or not that was with a caveat that Eden Hazard joins Real Madrid next summer is yet to be seen but Kovacic has spoken recently of the move and his time here so far. He said:

"I’m really happy with Chelsea. The city is amazing. The fans are great. The stadium, everything is nice. I could imagine myself [staying] here.

After two years of struggling in Madrid, playing and not playing, it was difficult. You don’t have confidence, you don’t try things you know. This year was my final decision to go.

Chelsea came and I spoke with the coach so it was definitely for me just Chelsea so I wanted to come here. In the end I’m happy that it happened.

This year I looked only at myself and this is what I need. He obviously was happy for me that I got what I wanted." - Source: Football London.

Now is it just me or has his move to Chelsea fallen under the radar of bigger names around the Premier League. Even still, two months later, not many people are talking about him and he has not been given much focus. Don't get me wrong here, that doesn't bother me because I know that as the season plays out that will change.

I really, really like him as a player and in my opinion, he has already given more of a contribution to our midfield than Tiemoue Bakayoko did for the whole of last season. He is quick, his technique is excellent, he can play with both feet, he is happy to bring the ball forward to take people on or play simple passes but always looking for that killer pass if available.

What I also like about him is his willingness to put in graft and work hard without the ball. As we have seen in these opening weeks playing for Maurizio Sarri, you need to be able to do that!

He just strikes me as someone with the ultimate confidence in his ability and it shows on the pitch. There is no hesitation, it's all on point and he rarely gives the ball away. The only thing lacking for the time being is goals but over the course of the season with the talent that he has they will come.

It's been such a shrewd signing by Chelsea and as I have said, one that seems to have fallen under the radar. Mark my words that will change.