Mateo Kovačić withdraws from national team duty due to ‘inflamed achilles tendon’

It wouldn’t be a typical international break if players didn’t get injured in training or matches for their country. Latest news coming out of the Croatian camp is that Mateo Kovacic has withdrawn from national team duty following an injury and will now be replaced by Mijo Caktaš.

The Daily Mail reports that Kovacic has suffered an ‘inflamed Achilles tendon’ in his right leg but the extent of the injury is not known yet. One wonders if it is the aggravation of a problem Kovacic might have caught during the game against Sheffield United where Lampard subbed him off for Billy Gilmour and later explained that Kovacic was ‘on his haunches’ and had to be substituted in the 84th minute.

Either way, let’s hope the reason for the withdrawal is just a precaution and not an actual problem as Chelsea are already without a fully fit Kante and Kovacic’ absence makes matters worse for Chelsea, who face Wolves away at the Molineux post the International break.