https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/04/06/
tuchel-heaps-praise-on-kovacic-and-shows-respect-to-real-madrid-
Tuchel heaps praise on Kovacic and shows respect to Real Madrid's Benzema
06 Apr 2022
Thomas Tuchel has spoken highly of Blues midfielder Mateo Kovacic ahead of
our quarter-final tie with the player's former club Real Madrid.
https://i.imgur.com/7D7oyQG.jpg
Chelsea signed the Croatian from the Spanish side initially on loan in the
summer of 2018 before making the move permanent the following year. He has
taken his game to new heights in recent seasons, especially since our
German head coach arrived.
Discussing the midfielder, the boss admits to following his progress in
his early years, when he was playing for Zinedine Zidane's Real side after
joining from Inter Milan at the age of just 21.
'He looks like a wonderkid in training in some exercises. On Tuesday he
had an outstanding training session and is a fantastic character,' Tuchel
said.
'A lovely guy, a humble guy, and so interested in sports. He's so happy to
train and deliver for the team. It's a true pleasure.
https://i.imgur.com/8np7uBl.jpg
Kova in El Clasico action during his Real days
'Even at Real Madrid, I was aware of his talent, and I felt there was a
next step coming,' he added. 'I'm very happy that he's my player and plays
a lot this season. He is crucial to us on the pitch and off the pitch in
the way he behaves.'
Not for the only time during his media duties ahead of tonight's game,
Tuchel was asked by a Spanish journalist if there was a Real Madrid player
who would pose a special threat to his team.
'Instead of being boring and always saying 'I will not say who', one
particular name I gave all the praise to is Karim Benzema,' replied
Tuchel.
'Two years ago he was one of the most under-rated players in world
football, but maybe not anymore, which he absolutely deserves. He plays as
a number nine for Real Madrid for so many years, that speaks for itself.
What he did in the last stage for them, how he carried responsibility, and
the key part he plays as a captain now, is very impressive.
https://i.imgur.com/YnzDxkh.jpg
Benzema scored against the Blues last season
'You can see what can happen to the team in his absence when they played
the Clasico. For sure he is a standout player and a standout personality,
but it is again at this very moment unfair to Luka Modric, Toni Kroos,
Casemiro and to all the guys who carried this team so successfully over
almost a decade now.
'They are huge personalities which I am immediately a fan of, but for sure
not today.'