Former Manchester City player Rodney Marsh says the recent rise of one Etihad star has taken him a little bit by surprise.
The Citizens recorded another big win on Saturday, beating Fulham 4-0 in the lunch-time kick-off.
Josko Gvardiol scored twice, and there were also goals for Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez.
The win sent Manchester City top of the Premier League, but Arsenal responded on Sunday by beating Manchester United, ensuring that the title race will be going to the final day of the season.
City take on Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow night and could potentially go two points clear of Arsenal ahead of the final round of fixtures on Sunday.
City are in great form at the moment, and one man who has been fairly key recently is Mateo Kovacic – and this has come as a surprise to City legend Rodney Marsh…
Rodney Marsh says Mateo Kovacic’s rise at Man City lately has been ‘a bit of a surprise’
On Saturday, there was another start for Mateo Kovacic in central midfield.
The 29-year-old featured alongside Rodri at the base of midfield, for his 43rd appearance for the club and his 28th appearance in the Premier League.
Leading up to the game, Pep Guardiola spoke about Kovacic and how good he has been in his debut season at City.
It’s clear the manager really likes what he brings to the table, and the former Chelsea man’s partnership with Rodri in the engine room is getting better every game.
Upon seeing that Kovacic had been selected to start against Fulham, former City man Rodney Marsh said on X: “The recent importance of Kovacic is a bit of a surprise….. #FULMCI“
Someone then suggested to him that Kovacic had absorbed the way Pep wants to run games, to which Marsh replied: “Precisely! I didn’t see it…maybe that’s why Pep is the best coach in the world..”
Kovacic has been a great signing
Kovacic can be pleased with how his first season at City has gone following his £30 million switch from Chelsea last summer.
Just recently, we have been seeing him gain a bit more importance at the club. He’s started four of the last five Premier League games now, and Pep turned to him at half-time against Nottingham Forest.
Kovacic – who Gvardiol recently admitted finding him very easy to play with – and Rodri in the middle of the park is a very solid combination, with the pair’s understanding of each other getting stronger and stronger.
On Saturday against Fulham he completed 97/100 (97%) passes (via Sofascore), which is a fantastic rate and shows why Pep is taken by him. He just brings control, and recycles the ball so well.