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Forgotten Man City player is transformed, his stats vs Ipswich are dazzling
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- Forgotten Man City player is transformed, his stats vs Ipswich are dazzling
Mateo Kovacic was the star of the show as Manchester City beat Ipswich Town 3-2 on Saturday.
It was a display unfortunately cut short after he picked up an injury at the start of the second half, in a blow to Enzo Maresca.
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The 32-year-old has rarely featured this season so far, largely limited to substitute appearances following the summer arrival of Enzo Fernandez.
It remains to be seen exactly how serious Kovacic's injury proves to be, but his display on Saturday may well see that pecking order change in the coming months.
A particularly impressive run of form could even earn the Croatia international a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
The former Chelsea man had looked certain to leave, but may now have given Maresca and Man City something to consider.
Mateo Kovacic rolls back the years in remarkable stats
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Paired with the teenage Ayyoub Bouaddi, Kovacic was expected to provide the the experience and facilitate the younger midfielder against Ipswich.
But it was the veteran who brought the energy and the quality on the day, seemingly shining every time he received the ball.
He would pick up the ball on the edge of the box midway through the first half, dribbling around several players before he eventually dinked a ball into the box and onto the head of Erling Haaland, who made no mistake.
That just one of three chances Kovacic made on the day, in what was a masterclass in passing. The midfielder misplaced just three passes, striking seven into the final third and 12 that broke lines.
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And there's more - the Man City man completed three successful dribbles, more than anybody else, and was fouled twice in his time on the pitch.
Kovacic won five of seven duels and made four recoveries before he was substituted after half-time.
Sources: Man City to let Mateo Kovacic go Man City must consider Kovacic decision
Currently, Kovacic will leave Man City at the end of his contract next summer and become a free agent.
Depending on injury, it may well be in Maresca's best interest to change that as soon as possible.
The Croatian is the ideal presence for the development of both Elliot Anderson and Bouaddi, and showed on Saturday that he still has plenty to give himself.
A potentially pending punishment in their case against the Premier League may make a move to keep Kovacic at the club even more of a pressing issue.
