CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel loves midfielder Mateo Kovacic – because he would ‘be ready to train at Cobham at 3.15am’.
The new Blues manager has made a flying start to life at Stamford Bridge with four wins and a draw out of five Premier League games sending his team into fourth place.
Thomas Tuchel revealed his love for Mateo KovacicCredit: EPA
Croatian midfielder Kovacic, 26, has started all five Prem games under the German and impressed again in Monday night’s 2-0 win over Newcastle.
And former PSG boss Tuchel revealed he is a massive fan of Kovacic’s enthusiasm and commitment to the cause.
After the match, he said: “I love him.
“I could wake the guy at 3am and he will be at Cobham at 3.15am ready to give everything, listen and play with full energy.
“I need to calm the guy down in training, so that he’s not doing too much.
“He is super-reliable. It’s a pleasure to have him.”
Kovacic has been used alongside Jorginho in the centre of midfield with the Italian international brought in from the cold after being dropped by former boss Frank Lampard.
And after being restored as the No1 penalty taker, Jorginho has played every Prem minute of the Tuchel era so far with the pair’s partnership allowed to flourish.
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The Blues are still yet to see an opposition player score against them since Tuchel took the reins, with Antonio Rudiger’s ludicrous own goal against Sheffield United the only blip.
Timo Werner ended his Prem goal drought by bagging for the first time since November against Steve Bruce’s side on Monday night.
Sub Olivier Giroud – on for the injured Tammy Abraham – also found the net as Chelsea stormed into the Champions League places ahead of West Ham and Liverpool.
Tuchel’s men face a tricky run of fixtures with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Southampton and Manchester United in the Prem before the end of the month.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
