Since arriving four-and-a-half years ago, Mateo Kovacic has been one of the most entertaining footballers to watch on a consistent basis at Stamford Bridge.
The 28-year-old initially signed for the club on a loan deal from Real Madrid but Chelsea ended up snapping the Croatian up on a permanent basis the following summer after impressing in west London. Kovacic was named as the Blues' player of the year in the 2019/20 season, the first campaign since signing a permanent deal, when playing under Frank Lampard.
The Croatia international was tipped by many at the time to be the future of Chelsea's midfield. Being younger than the likes of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante certainly helped that, but for a variety of reasons – injuries perhaps being the main one – it hasn't quite gone in that direction for Kovacic.
