Mateo Kovačić and Eden Hazard came off the bench to join Chelsea in the 60th minute at 2:2.
Mateo Kovačić has made his debut for Chelsea FC in a winning match against Arsenal (3:2) in the second round of the Premier League, reports Gol.hr on August 19, 2018.
Kovačić joined Eden Hazard in the 60th minute when the game was 2:2, playing on the left side of the midfield line in a triangle with Hazard and Jorginho.
After Hazard and Kovačić entered the pitch, Chelsea managed to hide the ball from Arsenal and dominate the game, which eventually resulted in a winning goal that came from the left side.
Kovačić played an excellent half hour of football, and according to Squawka’s statistics, didn’t make a single mistake. Kovačić did not achieve one poor pass (43/43), he won 100% of his take-ons and won all of his tackles.
Mateo Kovačić vs. Arsenal:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 18, 2018
• 100% take-ons completed
• 100% pass accuracy
• 100% tackles won
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English media also gave Kovačić a very good rating - the lowest rating he received was a six and the best an eight. Squawka gave him a seven, praising him for his cooperation with Hazard and effort returning to the defense. The Daily Telegraph described his debut performance as "impressive".
Chelsea fans did not hide their enthusiasm on social networks, either. Twitter posts raved about Kovačić, where users were especially delighted with how Mateo collaborated with Hazard - concluding that this duo could be a very deadly weapon for Chelsea this season.
Kovačić came to Chelsea from Real Madrid on a one-year loan. Although he is on loan without the option to buy, after his debut, Chelsea fans are hoping the Croat does not make a return to Madrid and instead remains permanently in London.
We must remember that Kovačić only played half an hour and it is still too early for final judgments, but Kovačić seems to be the perfect fit for Italian coach Maurizio Sarri’s style of play, who fosters attacking football and passing. Sarri is also known as a coach who pulls the maximum out of his players and it seems that Kovačić, after being the main substitution at Real Madrid, arrived at just the right time where he could fulfill his great potential.
Kovačić confirmed this in his statements after the match.
"It was important for me after three years of not playing at Real to find a team and a coach who wanted me. That happened with Chelsea. A club that wants me and a coach who believes in me. I need it right now,” he told Sports Club and praised the new coach.
"He’s known me a long time, I've watched a lot of his games, but most importantly he loves to play, the team is phenomenal with a lot of great players, and I think it will not be difficult to fit in,” Kovačić concluded.
