Mateo Kovacic has been a mainstay for Chelsea midfield ever since he made his move from Real Madrid permanent during the summer transfer window.
This season, the Croatian has played in each and every Premier League game for the Blues which just goes on to show the amount of faith Lampard has put on him so far.
And just recently the Chelsea manager showered words of praise on the player and also explained why Mateo Kovacic has gotten so better this season.
‘It is commonplace for foreign players coming to the Premier League to have a period of settling in, that is normal,’ Lampard said.
‘From Kovacic, I thought there were some really good performances last year. The fact he was in and out the team is never easy but I do think he feels at home now. His personality shines through in the group and he is a very likeable character with a slightly, nice tough side to him on and off the pitch, and he is a really good player.’
And now even Mateo Kovacic has seconded Lampard’s comment and has also hinted that irregular playing time was one of the main reasons why he chose to move out Real Madrid in the first place.
‘Of course, it’s better to have consistency in your position,’ Kovacic told Chelsea’s official website.
‘To move around the pitch is not so good when you’re playing one year there, and another year there. That has also been a bit of a problem in my career. Everything happened too fast for me. I had three great and difficult years in Madrid.
‘I played, didn’t play, I didn’t get the continuity that I needed and what I have now here. I enjoyed it, we won three Champions Leagues, but Chelsea is coming in the best moment of my career. It has been the most important switch for now and I’m really pleased with that.
‘My game is to open spaces for other people. 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.’
