Mateo Kovacic could be the underwhelming signing Man City need to begin treble defence

Few players in world football have a trophy cabinet to rival Mateo Kovacic.

When Manchester City used to sign ambitious, promising talents and making them world-class, they are now signing experienced winners. Mateo Kovacic falls into the latter category, with four Champions League medals and one Europa League, plus three Club World Cups and three UEFA Super Cups.

He has represented Croatia in five major tournaments, taking home a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup, and has won four league titles across his impressive career.

Kovacic might not be the most eye-catching signing to kick-start the summer, but he's certainly an impressive one - and he could be exactly what City need right now.

ALSO READ: Man City agree fee with Chelsea to sign midfielder Mateo Kovacic

With reports in Spain emerging that Ilkay Gundogan may have chosen Barcelona over a renewal at City, Pep Guardiola is in need of another experienced midfielder. One who can play defensive if needed, go forward on occasion, and who can generally read a game and control the tempo.

Gundogan mastered the Guardiola system early on, and has survived the arrivals of plenty of other central and wide midfielders to keep his place until the end. Scoring six goals in his last seven games of the season, plus adding two assists, would be a fitting way to sign off if he has played his final game. So will lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies.

When City were discussing replacements, Jude Bellingham will have been a standout choice, but his heart appeared set on Real Madrid. Then, they could go out and spend tens of millions, if not hundreds, on another midfielder - although who is on a par with Gundogan, and crucially, available this summer.

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