Transfer: Kovacic names player he advised Chelsea to sign

 

Chelsea star, Mateo Kovacic has revealed a Croatian player he wanted the Blues to sign during the summer window.

According to the former Real Madrid star, he recommended his Croatia team-mate Josko Gvardiol to Thomas Tuchel’s side during the club’s record-breaking summer spending spree.

Chelsea spent more than £250m on new signings over the summer, with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang making their ways to Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Tuchel’s Blues also expressed interest in RB Leipzig defender Gvardiol, who they wanted to sign and send back on loan to the German side.

Kovacic said that Chelsea spoke to him about signing Gvardiol who is his compatriot as they considered a move for the £77m-rated star.

“At the club, they asked me about Josko, I told them all the best,” Kovacic told the press ahead of Chelsea’s opening Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb in his native Croatia.

“I don’t need to say anything about his football, they know what kind of player he is, and his character is excellent.

“I have seen in the national team how eager he is to play, he has a great career ahead of him, and I hope that one day we will play together in the club.”