Alan Shearer was critical of Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic after his side’s 2-1 defeat against Wolves on Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, the popular pundit gave his two cents on the £150,000-a-week (Sport Rac) man’s showing.
After Manchester City suffered their first loss of the season against Wolves, Alan Shearer lambasted Mateo Kovacic for his shoddy display.
Alan Shearer blasts Mateo Kovacic after Manchester City get beaten by Wolves
Branded as an ‘exceptional player’ by Pep Guardiola, the 29-year-old was trusted to fill the suspended Rodri’s boots at the Molineux Stadium.
However, it’s fair to say that after a positive start to life in sky blue, Kovacic put in his worst performance for his club as a makeshift defensive midfielder.
Alan Shearer certainly believes so as well as he singled Mateo Kovacic out as a real letdown for Manchester City against Wolves.
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“Kovacic was changed position today because of Rodri, [who was] missing through suspension. He was the sitting midfielder and he gave the ball away so many times. When you’re playing against Manchester City, you have to be almost perfect. Yes, they get a little bit of luck, but that’s what happened all day.”
Mateo Kovacic was simply dreadful
Alan Shearer is spot on as it is hard to shy away from the fact that the Manchester City technician had a hellish afternoon against Wolves.
In possession, the four-time Champions League winner’s passing was far too vertical, especially as he continued to try to find Erling Haaland in behind the hosts’ defence but to no avail.
Defensively, Kovacic amongst many of his teammates’ sloppy passing led to turnovers, for which he lacks the athleticism to cover as much ground as Rodri does to stop oppositions on the break.
All-round, the former Chelsea midfielder was appalling.
But in all fairness, it would be harsh to be overly critical of Kovacic as he was playing out of position against Wolves.