Mateo Kovacic

[Doc_Piptorious]

“Kovacic will become a champion,” said Mancini. “He is young, but has already improved a lot. I think he will stay at Inter. I don’t think there is anything going on with him regarding a transfer”

Would not pay much heed to what a manager says to the media.

Balotelli was not joining LFC, Suarez was going nowhere, and Sterling is not for sale.

[frank the tank]

where do people think that leaves emre can though??? As a back up option to Henderson, Milner and Kovacic???

I would prefer not to see the 3 man defense again to be honest. It served us well at times last season - and potentially allowed brendan to fit Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling, Ibe and Markovic into the same team - but i hope that we have proper striking options next season and we can use the likes of Markovic, Ibe and Coutinho in their proper / preferred positions next season, week in week out so that they can build some form...

I would like to see a mixture of a diamond formation with Coutinho at the tip and a 433 against really defensive teams with Coutinho dropping in place of one of the central midfielders...... i really think that Henderson will play better without having to worry about gerrard covering the space and if he and milner can form some sort of partnership then it could be great. Also, even if we didn't get Kovacic (and played Lucas there) i think the team looks like it could have a really good balance to it - Lucas protecting the 2 centre backs and with Henderson and Milner both having the nous to let the full backs bomb forward at times.

If we can get some sort of a strike force going, then i think we could surprise a lot of people next season. However, at the moment it feels like we are possibly going to have the "if only sturridge stayed fit" conversation again in 12 months time....

[Lecter]

Guessing he's the alternative to Clyne?

FLMAO he will be

[DannyMan2006]

Pretty confident this will be done based on Gazzetta. Doesn't spout rubbish.

Maybe Inter will want to announce a replacement before finalising it. So it may not necessarily be imminent.

[DannyMan2006]

Btw, I think he's a cracking player, but IMO we need a bit of steel in midfield first & foremost - A solid DM as opposed to another with the build of Joe Allen.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Btw, I think he's a cracking player, but IMO we need a bit of steel in midfield first & foremost - A solid DM as opposed to another with the build of Joe Allen.

I agree but it looks like we're going for energy over steel, seen a few people putting him in front of the back 4, he certainly not that kind of player.

[Gazzla]

I have no idea if we are in for him or if this is another Shaquri situation but from what I have seen of him he looks like the kind of signing that would excite, a game changer and someone that can make things happen out of nothing

A lot of our other signings or reported targets seem functional types whereas this kid looks like he's got something special about him

[Cormack74]

Guessing he's the alternative to Clyne?

The way BR shuffles the players positionally, that's entirely possible

[SK]

The way BR shuffles the players positionally, that's entirely possible

We need a new left wingback if Marković is to go back to Benfica

[Doc_Piptorious]

I agree but it looks like we're going for energy over steel, seen a few people putting him in front of the back 4, he certainly not that kind of player.

He has played in front of the back four for both Inter and Croatia, but it has been as playmaker rather than as a DM. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and is a good passer/dribbler so he may well be used in that sort of role if we get him.

Personally I would prefer to see a bit of steel put in beside him though.

Whilst not an out and out DM himself I would like to see someone like Nainggolan alongside Kovacic as the Belgian would bring a touch of steel as well as high energy box to box ability.

Could be a midfield diamond made up of Coutinho, Milner, Kovacic and Nainggolan. Kovacic and Nainggolan taking turns being the deepest player of the four.

I left out Henderson because I am not so sure that he is a nailed on long term starter and also because I think the four players I named can either match (and better Henderson's strengths or bring stuff that Henderson cannot.


Of course there is another option and that may be that Rodgers reverts back to having a wingbacks and he then plays Milner at RWB.



We could then could go with with a midfield and backline of

-------------X-----------------------X----------------
----------------------Coutinho-----------------------
-------------Kovacic-----------Henderson (or an upgrade)
Moreno------------------------------------------Milner
-----------Sakho-------Skrtel------Can-------------------
-----------------------Mignolet--------------------------------

and two attackers in front of them.


Not the most inspiring looking on paper, but we would have the option of three players being able to venture forward from defensive positions (Can, Moreno, and Milner) whilst having two creative players in our middle trio as well as lots of energy in that middle trio.


Or if we went with one striker, then the midfield trio part could become a diamond with Lucas or a new DM sitting behind Kovacic and Henderson.

[vlahka]

Considering the level of the rest of our signings, I doubt we're really going to get him.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

He has played in front of the back four for both Inter and Croatia, but it has been as playmaker rather than as a DM. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and is a good passer/dribbler so he may well be used in that sort of role if we get him.

Personally I would prefer to see a bit of steel put in beside him though.

Whilst not an out and out DM himself I would like to see someone like Nainggolan alongside Kovacic as the Belgian would bring a touch of steel as well as high energy box to box ability.

Could be a midfield diamond made up of Coutinho, Milner, Kovacic and Nainggolan. Kovacic and Nainggolan taking turns being the deepest player of the four.

I left out Henderson because I am not so sure that he is a nailed on long term starter and also because I think the four players I named can either match (and better Henderson's strengths or bring stuff that Henderson cannot.


Of course there is another option and that may be that Rodgers reverts back to having a wingbacks and he then plays Milner at RWB.



We could then could go with with a midfield and backline of

-------------X-----------------------X----------------
----------------------Coutinho-----------------------
-------------Kovacic-----------Henderson (or an upgrade)
Moreno------------------------------------------Milner
-----------Sakho-------Skrtel------Can-------------------
-----------------------Mignolet--------------------------------

and two attackers in front of them.


Not the most inspiring looking on paper, but we would have the option of three players being able to venture forward from defensive positions (Can, Moreno, and Milner) whilst having two creative players in our middle trio as well as lots of energy in that middle trio.


Or if we went with one striker, then the midfield trio part could become a diamond with Lucas or a new DM sitting behind Kovacic and Henderson.

Whilst he has played there, his skill sets include dribbling which I don't think suit that role very well, especially over here in a league that presses well.

Looking at this season he's played in central midfield 12 times and not always in front of the back 4. Equally he has played as a number 10, 12 times. To me he is suited, like you say to a 2 man midfield with a Coutinho further ahead with that being his 2nd role in the squad rather than a deeper one. However I'm not sure if Henderson or Milner would make the best partner for him but we're in a bit bother there because Henderson is probably going to be our new captain and Milner it seems has been promised game time in that role.

* He also played from wide 8 times for those wondering about wingback

[Leyton388]

Coutinho, lallana and Sturridge as a front three with kovacic and milner pulling the strings is an imposing looking attack.

[Irishnev]

Apparently Inter are signing Duda from Legia Warsaw as his replacement (so says twitter)

[knockers]

This guy coming through at Inter is the reason we got Coutinho wasn't it? Inter struggled to get them both in the team, I wonder in Brendan can?