Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has stated that the main difference between Frank Lampard and Maurizio Sarri is the fact that he can play more freely under the new manager.
Frank Lampard finally got his first win of the Premier League season after a 3-2 win against Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday. The Blues did not get off to a particularly great start after a 4-0 loss against Manchester United on the opening day of the season and a 1-1 draw against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge the following weekend.
One player that has been quite consistent for Chelsea this new season is Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The 25-year-old joined Chelsea on a loan deal last season from Real Madrid and despite putting in some brave displays in the center of the pitch, Kovacic was often scapegoated by fans and pundits. Kovacic joined Chelsea on a permanent deal earlier this summer and the midfielder has already started three games under Lampard registering one assist.
Last season, Chelsea won the UEFA Europa League under former coach Maurizio Sarri but Lampard succeeded the Italian earlier this summer and the 41-year-old has given a new dimension to his Chelsea side.
Kovacic has highlighted the main difference he feels while playing under Lampard and has admitted that he has a much freer role in the center of the park. While speaking to the media Kovacic said he also feels more confident that he is a permanent Chelsea player as of now, “He gives me more freedom and I can take the ball and go forward. I feel good. A good connection with the coach and all the team. I am a Chelsea player now so I feel better about that. Last year was only a loan. I feel better and more confident than last year. I am missing some part of my game and I can improve and get better, but I think it will come for sure. He gives us more freedom to play, more creativity. We can change positions. We are aggressive. We are doing well but it is only one month with the coach so we can improve.”
