Chelsea fans fume at ‘major downgrade’ as ace who cost Man City £29m tears through £220m midfield with embarrassing ease
CHELSEA fans were left fuming after former player Mateo Kovacic waltzed through their midfield before finishing into the bottom corner.
The goal wrapped up three points for Manchester City as they got their title defence off to the best possible start.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring after 18 minutes before Kovacic pulled off an audacious solo effort.
The Croatian glided past Moises Caicedo before leaving Enzo Fernandez for dead – a midfield pairing that cost Chelsea an eye-watering £220milion.
He then unleashed a curling effort which Robert Sanchez could only tap into the bottom corner.
Chelsea supporters fumed at the goal with many frustrated at the downgrade they made by selling Kovacic for £29m and buying Fernandez and Caicedo.
One fan reacted to the goal saying: “Can’t imagine we traded Kovacic for Enzo. Major downgrade.”
Another added: “Kovacic who left Chelsea for £29m strolls through a 220 million pound midfield of Caicedo (£105m) and Enzo (£115m) to seal the 3 points. Chelsea football club.”
A third wrote: “Enzo and Caicedo ghosted past easily by Kovavic there for the second goal lol.”
And another commented: “Kovavic came to show Enzo how to play his position.”
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Harry Redknapp's 2024/25 season predictions
TOP FOUR
ARSENAL, MANCHESTER CITY, LIVERPOOL and TOTTENHAM — and I’ve got a really strong feeling for Arsenal this season. A few of Man City’s star players are getting a bit older. There’s been nothing between the two teams over the past two years.
RELEGATION
EVERTON (18th), SOUTHAMPTON (19th), LEICESTER (20th) — I like Sean Dyche and Everton are a great club with brilliant, knowledgeable fans. They’re just badly run. They need to go down to rebuild to come back again. But the key is new owners.
TOP SCORER
ERLING HAALAND — I can’t see anyone taking his crown off him. He’s a goal machine, isn’t he? If I can get him at evens, I might lump on!
MOST ASSISTS
MARTIN ODEGAARD — He’ll be the catalyst for Arsenal’s surge to the title. I can see it now. He’s a superb player and he makes it look so easy.
CARABAO CUP
TOTTENHAM — Ange Postecoglou will break Spurs’ trophy curse. Most big teams will mess about with this trophy, but Tottenham will go full steam.
FA CUP
LIVERPOOL — I fancy Arne Slot to stamp his mark on English football quickly and there’s few better ways to do it than lifting this famous old trophy.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
REAL MADRID — Carlo Ancelotti is bullish about their chances. He has said that with Kylian Mbappe, it’s the best team they’ve had for a long time.
EUROPA LEAGUE
MANCHESTER UNITED — Clubs seem to have stopped sneering at this competition. And Spurs and United should be going both barrels for it.
CONFERENCE LEAGUE
CHELSEA — The Luxembourg champions could be dangerous! Joking aside, the Blues must win it.
Fernandez arrived at Chelsea for £107m in February 2023 and has been made captain by new boss Enzo Maresca despite failing to live up to his price tag.
Caicedo arrived the following summer for £115m with Blues beating Liverpool to his signature.