Mateo Kovacic already looks like a shrewd signing for Manchester City after making his debut for the club in the friendly win against Yokohama F.Marinos.
A summer signing from Chelsea, the Croatian international looked right at home in City’s midfield. He played the first half in his first start for the treble winners.
The poise in possession, technical ability and positioning play from Kovacic stood out. He linked the play well in midfield, and his quality was clear in his first appearance for the club.
Mateo Kovačić vs Yokohama F. Marinos (Man City Debut 2023) pic.twitter.com/BKqlwBWmjh
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Most signings struggle to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s demands in their first season. City’s Croatian midfielder looks to have settled in quickly to life at his new club.
The City boss was impressed with what he saw from Kovacic on debut. He was full of praise for the City new man.
Guardiola was quoted by ManCity.com as saying: “Really good. He is an exceptional player, we know it. It’s just the first game. He has to know us and what we want. But really, really good.”
Initial signs from Mateo Kovacic are promising. There is no doubting the new signing’s pedigree. His resume speaks for itself. But after such a promising debut he may be one of the rare few new signings under Pep to settle in quickly.
