The Croatian midfielder was brought in on loan by Maurizio Sarri last season from Real Madrid. With Chelsea facing a transfer ban and Kovacic the only possbile player for the club to sign, Chelsea made a permanent move for him this summer and it has so far worked out.
However, Kovacic who did not have such a great season last time out, has credited his improvement in form to Frank Lampard.
My game is to open spaces for other people,” Kovacic told the Chelsea website.
“It’s a big strength and I have felt I am trying it a lot more because we play a little bit different football to last year. Now we are more direct, more aggressive, we just try things we didn’t try last year. I feel better.
“I think my best position is in a midfield two.
“I can play as well in a midfield three, but in the two I feel maybe more comfortable with more freedom. But in the end the formation doesn’t matter too much.”
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