Mateo Kovačić Dismisses Manchester City Exit Rumours, Says Club Still Counts on Him
Frank Ocansey
Editor, PulseView
Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovačić has firmly dismissed speculation surrounding his future, insisting that the Premier League champions still have confidence in him despite reports linking him with a return to Serie A.
The Croatian international, who has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, says conversations with the club have reassured him that he remains an important part of manager Enzo Maresca’s plans for the upcoming season.
Kovačić’s comments come after weeks of transfer rumours suggesting that Italian giants Juventus and his former club Inter Milan are interested in bringing the experienced midfielder back to Serie A.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract, the 32-year-old insists his focus remains solely on helping Manchester City compete for major honours.
Kovačić Confident About His Future
Speaking during Manchester City’s pre-season tour in Hong Kong, Kovačić revealed that he has spoken directly with the club about his future.
According to the midfielder, those conversations removed any doubts he may have had about his position within the squad.
“I didn’t feel the question marks from them,” Kovačić said.
“I spoke with them. It was that they count on me, which was important for me to hear from them.”
The Croatian believes that once a player receives the backing of the club, the responsibility shifts back onto the individual to perform consistently.
“For the players it’s always on you to show your best version because if you are playing well, the manager will put you first.”
His comments are likely to reassure Manchester City supporters concerned by recent transfer speculation.
Serie A Clubs Monitoring Situation
Reports throughout the summer have suggested that both Juventus and Inter Milan are closely monitoring Kovačić’s situation.
Having previously enjoyed successful spells in Italy, particularly with Inter Milan, the midfielder has naturally attracted interest from clubs looking to add experience and technical quality to their squads.
The uncertainty has been fuelled by the fact that Kovačić has only one year remaining on his Manchester City contract.
So far, City have not announced any contract extension, leading to speculation that the club could consider offers rather than risk losing him for free next summer.
However, Kovačić’s latest comments suggest that neither he nor Manchester City are currently preparing for an immediate departure.
Injury-Plagued Season Limited His Impact
Last season proved one of the most frustrating of Kovačić’s career.
Persistent Achilles and ankle injuries restricted him to just nine appearances across all competitions, preventing him from making a sustained contribution to City’s campaign.
The experienced midfielder spent much of the season working on his rehabilitation while watching from the sidelines as the team battled through domestic and European competitions.
For a player renowned for his energy, technical ability and ball-carrying qualities, the lengthy injury lay-off represented a significant setback.
Now fully fit, Kovačić is eager to make up for lost time.
Maresca’s Comments Leave Room for Interpretation
New Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca was recently asked about Kovačić’s future following City’s pre-season friendly against Inter Milan.
While the Italian coach stopped short of guaranteeing that the Croatian would remain at the club, he emphasised that Kovačić remains part of his squad.
“Mateo is our player. Until the day he is here I will try my best.”
“It is my duty to help players give their best. If he is here I am happy and we will continue to work with him.”
Although Maresca’s response was interpreted by some as cautious, Kovačić insists he has received much clearer assurances in private.
Opportunity Created by Rodri’s Injury
Mateo Kovačić could have an important role to play during the early months of the new campaign.
Spanish midfielder Rodri is expected to miss the opening part of the season after undergoing back surgery.
Rodri’s absence creates a significant gap in City’s midfield, offering Kovačić an opportunity to establish himself in the starting lineup.
The Croatian has previously partnered Rodri in midfield and also operated in his absence.
He believes he is capable of filling the role if required.
“I’ve played together with Rodri and without him as well.”
“With him not being here now I can of course fill that spot, but let’s see when he comes back.”
His versatility and experience could prove invaluable while Rodri continues his recovery.
Competition in Midfield Remains Intense
Despite Rodri’s injury, competition for places at Manchester City remains fierce.
Kovačić faces challenges from several talented midfielders, including:
- Tijjani Reijnders
- Nico González
- Elliot Anderson
Each player offers different qualities, giving Maresca a variety of tactical options.
For Kovačić, consistent performances during pre-season could be key to securing regular playing time.
Praise for New Signing Elliot Anderson
Mateo Kovačić also spoke highly of Manchester City’s newest midfield addition, Elliot Anderson.
The England international joined City from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth approximately £116 million, becoming one of the club’s biggest-ever signings.
Although Anderson has yet to report for pre-season after representing England at the FIFA World Cup, Mateo Kovačić believes the youngster possesses all the attributes needed to succeed at the Etihad Stadium.
“I think he brings a lot of quality and a lot of physicality.”
“He has shown that he is capable of running a lot, being good on the ball and being good off the ball.”
“He is young, so he can improve a lot still at City. I think it’s a great signing for us.”
The experienced midfielder believes Anderson’s arrival will further strengthen an already impressive Manchester City squad.
Premier League Home to the World’s Best Midfielders
Reflecting on the standard of competition in England, Mateo Kovačić described the Premier League as the strongest league in world football.
He pointed to the growing number of elite midfielders playing across the division.
Among those he highlighted were:
- Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United)
- Several Aston Villa midfielders
- New arrivals at Manchester United
- Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández
- Arsenal’s Declan Rice
According to Mateo Kovačić, the quality throughout the league continues to improve each season.
“I think it is the best league and the best players are here.”
The Croatian believes competing against such high-level opponents ultimately helps every player improve.
What the Future Holds
Although rumours linking Mateo Kovačić with a move back to Italy are unlikely to disappear while his contract situation remains unresolved, the midfielder’s own comments paint a very different picture.
Rather than preparing for an exit, he appears fully committed to proving himself under Enzo Maresca.
If he can remain injury-free, Mateo Kovačić could become a key figure during the early part of the season, particularly while Rodri continues his recovery.
Whether Manchester City eventually offer him a new contract may depend largely on his performances over the coming months.
Mateo Kovačić has moved to calm speculation surrounding his future by making it clear that Manchester City still believe in his abilities.
Despite interest from Juventus and Inter Milan, the Croatian says he has been reassured that he remains part of the club’s plans.
With Rodri sidelined and fierce competition for midfield places, the experienced midfielder now has the perfect opportunity to demonstrate why Manchester City continue to place their trust in him.
As the new season approaches, Kovačić’s focus remains exactly where he wants it to be on performing for Manchester City rather than worrying about transfer rumours.
Source: BBC
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