Real Madrid’s maestro midfielder Luka Modric paid Mateo Kovacic the highest compliment whilst speaking about his compatriot playing for Chelsea.
In an interview with Marca, Modric selected Kovacic as the player to eventually take over his Croatian crown once he retires from international football.
Magic Modric
The 36-year-old Madrista is reaching the final stretch of what’s been an illustrious career for both club and country.
Following Croatia’s qualification to this winter’s World Cup in Qatar, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has one last chance at winning silverware on the grandest of global stages.
No matter what happens at that tournament, Modric will go down in his native land’s history as arguably their greatest ever performer.
146 caps and counting, with the captain’s armband to boot, whoever steps into his shoes has a huge task at hand.
However, the man himself had high hopes for the person he believes to be next in line.
“My successor in Croatia or the most talented player, I think, is Mateo Kovacic,” said Modric.
“He has played for important clubs like Inter Milan, Real Madrid, now he is at Chelsea doing things very well and that’s why let’s say that he is one of the successors, he can be the leader of the next Croatia”.
Kovacic a worthy replacement
If anyone is to be the Madrid man’s heir, it must be Kovacic.
Arguably, there isn’t another member of the current Croatian squad that comes as close to Modric in terms of quality and likeness.
Chelsea’s £40m (Sky Sports) signing from Los Blancos is as classy as they come, with an elegancy in possession that treats the watching percipient.
He has become one of Thomas Tuchel’s most treasured assets, now that goals and assists have entered into his repertoire.
Plus, there’s the added bonus of coming from the same footballing school at the Bernabeu as Modric.
Kovacic will be ready whenever the Croatian coronation is needed.
Keep up to date with all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Facebook and Twitter accounts
Leave a Reply