Nedum Onuoha has said that one player in the Manchester City squad has been a top signing for the club.
The Citizens have a track record when it comes to attracting big-name players to the Etihad Stadium in big transfer moves.
With the Blues just two victories away from ending another season with consecutive Premier League and FA Cup trophies added to their cabinet, Pep Guardiola’s side could increase their status as the best team in the country.
Now though, in terms of the individuals Guardiola currently has in his squad, one of them has found themselves on the end of some heavy praise from someone who knows a lot about the club.
Onuoha says Mateo Kovacic has been a clever signing from City
Speaking in a recent livestream on the club’s YouTube channel before their recent 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, Onuoha said this about Mateo Kovacic and what he’s offered the City team this season.
He said: “What I like about him as well, at times he has a really good relationship with Rodri in that midfield area. But he also allows Rodri to go higher and contribute to some of the attacks as well.
“I think this season, as the season began, most people would’ve thought it was going to be a centre-back that will go into midfield every single game. But sometimes when it’s Kovacic and it’s Rodri, they keep a different structure behind it.
“It gives City that option to do things a bit differently. Because they still want to have two players that maybe are a bit deeper in that anchor position. But it can be him and when he gets the ball you can trust him with it.
“I think he’s got a good eye for a pass as well. I think, for City, himself, Rodri and others, they can change the pace quite well.
“They’re moving slowly, slowly, slowly, then when they break the line with a pass or with a run with the ball, all of a sudden the opposition are on the back foot.
“I think he’s very good at that, but what do you expect from a guy that’s won a Champions League before, played for Real Madrid, full Croatia international?
“It’s another great bit of business and he seems to fit right in with the way City want to play.”
Kovacic has been vital in recent weeks
During the previous summer transfer window, City paid £30m to sign the midfielder from Chelsea.
Since then, the Croatian has gone on to make 44 appearances for the Blues across all competitions, scoring three goals and delivering one assist along the way.
The 30-year-old has played a key role in City’s recent run of crucial Premier League fixtures, starting five of the last six and completing the full 90 minutes on three occasions in that period.
Across his 29 league games, the midfielder has completed 1430 of the 1521 passes he’s attempted, leaving him with the third-highest passing accuracy percentage in the division (94%).
This backs up Onuoha’s point about Kovacic being very useful on the ball and how he can move it around the pitch.