Mateo Kovacic: 'Chelsea, Maurizio Sarri believe in me'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 20 August 2018

Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic admits that he feels wanted at Chelsea and therefore expects to quickly adapt to his new surroundings.

Mateo Kovacic has said that he expects to quickly adapt to life under Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea as he feels wanted by both the manager and the club.

The Croatia international ended a three-year stay at Real Madrid to join the Blues last week, initially arriving on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

Having been used sparingly last season, with more than half of his La Liga outings coming from the bench, Kovacic is glad to be at a club where he will play more regularly.

Speaking after his 30-minute appearance for the Blues in Saturday's 3-2 win over Arsenal, the 24-year-old told Sport Klub TV: "I am happy because of victory, the most important is that team played good.

"I feel fine, I miss rhythm but I just joined the team. I am working fine and improving. It was important for me after three years without continuity of play in Madrid, to find a team and coach that want me, and that happened in Chelsea.

"The club who wanted me and the coach that believes in me. That is what I need. Sarri knows me for a long time and I watched a lot of his matches. He loves to play, the team is great, with a lot of big players. I don't expect it to be hard for me to adapt."

Kovacic finished last season's La Liga campaign with an 88% dribble success rate - the best of any player to have attempted at least 30 dribbles.