About seven players are competing for spots in Chelsea’s midfield this season and although Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have stepped up with goals in recent times, Mateo Kovacic thinks the competition for places is a healthy one.
Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Kovacic have featured mostly for Maurizio Sarri for the most part of the season, but others have always stepped up when given the opportunity. The youngest of the crop, Loftus-Cheek has registered four goals in the last two games, making him a sure candidate for a regular spot in the coming months.
With goals limited upfront, Sarri will count on his midfielders to provide a goal threat, especially in crucial periods of the campaign.
Kovacic, whose position on the left of the midfield is being contested for by two other very strong players says his teammates understand what it means to have a big squad full of quality players. He reveals he and his colleagues support each other.
“One day I play then the next day Ross, then Ruben, we have a lot of players. N’Golo [Kante], [Cesc] Fabregas, Jorginho, so a lot of quality in the midfield. It’s normal you can’t play every game so we are supporting each other. The season is long and we need every player.
“We have a good team, we have 22 or 23 players who can always play. That’s really important for the full season.
In the end, the coach chooses who will play but we are all prepared. We are footballers but we are 25 players so we need to support each other.”
Mateo Kovacic, Daily Mail
