Real Madrid’s decision to sell Mateo Kovacic to Chelsea in the summer of 2018 left many fans scratching their heads. The Croatian midfielder had been a key player for Los Blancos and had shown plenty of potential in his three seasons at the club. So why did Madrid let him go?
The Arrival of Julen Lopetegui
One factor that may have played a role in Kovacic’s departure was the arrival of new manager Julen Lopetegui. The former Spain boss was brought in to replace Zinedine Zidane, who had resigned after leading Madrid to their third consecutive Champions League title.
Lopetegui had a different tactical approach than Zidane, and it seemed that Kovacic did not fit into his plans. The midfielder was known for his dribbling ability and ball retention skills, but Lopetegui preferred a more possession-based style of play that required quicker passing and movement.
The Need for Funds
Another reason why Madrid may have sold Kovacic was financial. The club had just spent a record fee on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and they needed to balance the books. Selling an established player like Kovacic would have helped them do just that.
Additionally, with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations becoming increasingly strict, it made sense for Madrid to sell players who were not essential to their plans in order to stay within the rules.
Kovacic’s Desire for Regular Playing Time
Finally, it’s worth noting that Kovacic himself may have been a driving force behind his departure from Madrid. Despite being an important player for the club, he often found himself on the bench behind more established stars like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
In an interview with Marca after joining Chelsea, Kovacic revealed that he wanted more regular playing time: “I wanted to play more and the best thing for me was to leave Madrid.”
Conclusion
In the end, it seems that a combination of factors led to Kovacic’s departure from Real Madrid. Lopetegui’s tactical approach, the need for funds, and Kovacic’s own desire for more playing time all played a role in the decision.
While it may have been disappointing for some fans to see him go, Madrid were able to recoup a significant fee from his sale and use the funds to strengthen other areas of the squad. Meanwhile, Kovacic has been able to establish himself as an important player at Chelsea and continue his development as a midfielder.