Croatian international Mateo Kovačić named Chelsea’s Player of the Year
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatian international Mateo Kovačić has been named Chelsea Football Club’s Player of the Year in just his second season at the club.
Kovačić (26), who joined Chelsea initially on a one-year loan back in the summer of 2018 from Real Madrid, will be presented with the trophy at Chelsea’s Cobham training headquarters after having topped the voting after an outstanding 2019/20 season.
“Only two players made more than Kovačić’s 47 appearances over the course of the season, a fact made even more impressive by the fierce competition for places and frequent rotation in midfield. He also scored his first two goals for the club, both low drives from the edge of the box, in consecutive weeks in November against Valencia and Everton,” the club said in a statement.
“It was as we entered the winter that it really became clear how important a player Kovačić was going to be for our season, though, as his precise passing, reading of the game and strong pressing allowed him to dictate the tempo of matches, while his bursts forward carrying the ball from midfield launched countless attacks. As well as beginning moves, Kovacic has also been helping to finish them, addressing one of the criticisms he faced in his first season in England.”
Kovačić started all of Chelsea’s last six games in all competitions, and his performances helped them secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and reach the FA Cup final.
Past winners of the award include Eden Hazard, Kante, Juan Mata, Didier Drogba, and current coach Frank Lampard.
Kovačić completed a permanent transfer to Chelsea, signing a five-year contract last month.
