Mateo Kovacic makes Man City realisation after transfer from Chelsea

Mateo Kovacic now understands exactly how Manchester City have become so successful after signing from Chelsea this summer.

City parted ways with captain Ilkay Gundogan this summer after the German midfielder opted not to sign a new contract and instead left to join Barcelona on a free. In his place, Pep Guardiola brought in Kovacic.

The Croat made 221 appearances for Chelsea after initially making a loan switch from Real Madrid in 2018. During this time, the 29-year-old has admired City's style of play from afar but it was only when he started training with his new club, he realised how they have managed to be on top of English football for such a prolonged period of time.

In Saturday's press conference, he told reporters: "I knew the team had a lot of quality and playing against them was never easy – it was always tough. They keep the ball and put pressure on you.

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"Now I am here I can see why. The intensity is so high and everyone is so professional. You can see why they have been successful in recent years."

City's pre-season is beginning to draw to a close with the Blues finishing their tour of Asia in South Korea when they face Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

The Blues' first chance to win silverware this year will come nice and early next weekend when they travel down to Wembley to take on Arsenal in the Community Shield. Normally this match features the Premier League champions taking on the FA Cup winners but because Guardiola's side won both, top-flight runners-up the Gunners will be the opposition.

The Manchester Evening News are producing a special 48-page 2023/24 season preview to look at what the new campaign could hold for Manchester City.

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