Kovacic was born in Vienna into an expat Croatian family. His German has got to be completely fluent.
Looking pretty worrying about Manchester City Match. " Christian Pulisic Groin/Hip/Pelvic Injury Nov 09: "The only frustration is he comes off with a bit of an injury- he has got a bit of a hip issue. I am hoping it's not too bad because the way that he is at the minute is great to see." No Return Date Currently Being Assessed 25% https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php
They're just trying to save face with FIFA for withholding him from official matches. More than likely, he'll be just fine
This quote is a week old. He sure jumped high to celebrate his goal. I know he broke himself celebrating a goal for the USMNT but I'd be willing to bet he's healthy next weekend. I do think he could lose his place to Mount on the wing if Lampard wants a bit more defensive posture with Jorginho, Kovacic and Kante in the middle.
Doesn't send the greatest message to your players who put the club first during international breaks to bench them after the break, especially when the player is the most in-form player in the league. If he's healthy he'll start.
I agree that CP is must likely fit..Keeping Man.C guessing is also not a bad thing since they will need to plan for an in-form Pulisic. As for the possibility of CP being dropped for Mount on the left-wing so to press more...I don't believe this will happen..but it would had been a strong possibility, if not for all the goals CP has scored recently...... I'm sure Lampard will consider it but if they lose, he'll face a barrage of questions for dropping CP. Mount has gone quiet in the past 3-4 EPL matches..I believe he'll be dropped to make way for the Jorginho/Kova/Kante trio in midfield.
Tactics can trump just about any and everything, in these scenarios. I personally expect him to start, if healthy, but a switch to be more defensive from the start would be easily understandable in the bigger picture, especially when they still maintain a counter attacking threat through Abraham and Mount.
CP appears to have achieved a semblance of acceptance among English football writers suggesting that they (or some) accept that he is here to stay. From an article in the Guardian praising Leicester and Chelsea competing for second place in the Prem: I like the word "influential." It implies a high level of seniority and competence, to me anyway. I'll happily accept that judgment of CP's quality.
Not being snarky here, but it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that a newcomer has to prove it first, and then be accepted.
I'll give credit to Lampard for playing Pulisic on the left and not instructing him to get chalk on his boots. He's always looked better on the left but often times at Dortmund others would play there and he would be stuck being a wide winger. He was even played at wing back and right back a few times. Overall that might help him in the long run knowing how other positions see things and helping his defense a bit. He is though best at narrow left winger or the #10 in a 4-2-3-1 type where he can float and doesn't have a lot of defensive responsibility.
Right, but that's lots of attackers' best position... that's Willian's best position, it's arguably Mane's and KDB's and Rashford's and Eriksen's best position. But there's a reason none of them really play that way, it's a position is increasingly disappearing from the modern game at the highest level.
His injury is nothing. It was a grade 1 sprain or bruised hip from when he hit the woodwork after the goal. That's the sort of injury at 21 you rest up for 7-10 days, maybe do a little bike work or rowing and you're 100% without even really losing cardio fitness.
City v Chelsea is a juicy ********in fixture... please let's see a 4-4 draw, CP starts and gets 2 goals 2 assists!
Well, mostly because it just seems less likely... but also because I personally am not interested in seeing Chelsea flourish, even if they remain unlikely to catch Liverpool and even though this is, inarguably, the most fun & easy to root for Chelsea squad in the past 15 1/2 years. But I am interested in seeing CP flourish.
If that's the case I'd hands-down go for a Chelsea win.... I seriously doubt Chelsea will challenge Liverpool; however, City on the other hand.... you'd want to see them drop all the points they possibly can. Anyhoo, I'd be happy for Liverpool to win the title. However, should Pulisic become the first American to win the EPL (I think that would be the case, no?) - I'd be happy either way... I'm in an anyone but City mode right now...
Does anyone know why only 2 EPL matches are scheduled for regular English language cable broadcasts this weekend, and the Chelsea match is not one of them?
Are you sure? It's the only game in the 12:30 ET time slot. Are you looking just on NBCSN? Could be on NBC. ETA: Worldsoccertalk.com says it's on NBC. https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/
I stand corrected. Just checked my DVR's scheduled recording. It shows 2 scheduled EPL matches, one of which is the Chelsea match,