Kovačić confident of ‘great’ finish to Chelsea season despite Sarri-ball difficulties

Mateo Kovačić may not be able to stay at Chelsea for next season, despite his and everyone else’s wishes — unless FIFA get a move on with their appeals process and Chelsea get a chance to suspend the ban through CAS — but until we are forced to say goodbye, Kovačić will be looking to make the most of his time at Stamford Bridge.

“In the end the most important thing is to win trophies and the players know it. The players are used to winning trophies and I’m sure we will have a great year this season.”

The only trophy left available for Chelsea is the Europa League, though finishing fourth in the league can almost be considered one as well. Unfortunately, neither route into next year’s Champions League final is at all guaranteed, in great part due to Chelsea’s continuing inconsistencies.

The blame for those difficulties can be spread around, but should they continues, only one man will take the blame, the head coach. It’s the nature of the job, in a sense, though that’s not to say Sarri is blameless.

Still, Kovačić has enjoyed his time together with the old man, and understands that things aren’t always as easy as we would like them to be.

“When players are used to playing other football and then [for him] to come here and change everything, it’s difficult. But he has his football in his mind and has a great personality. He just wants to play his football and that’s what we’re trying to do and trying to win a trophy.”

-Mateo Kovačić; source: Chelsea TV

Trying is all well and good, but as Yoda said, do or do not. There is no try. If Chelsea “do”, Sarri may yet survive. If we “do not”, he (probably) won’t. That’s just the way it is.

NB. Kovačić’s quotes come from a recent Chelsea TV interview, where he also talks a bit about his upbringing, his football career so far, his friendship with Luka Modrić, and coming so close to winning the World Cup last summer. Be sure to check it out!