Mateo Kovacic showed exactly why Pep Guardiola is such a big fan by channeling his inner-Andres Iniesta back in 2021.
The moment came when Chelsea took on Newcastle at Stamford Bridge with the midfielder showing his undoubted quality on the ball.
Picking up the ball on the left side of the pitch, Kovacic pulled off ‘La Croqueta’ – a sidestep made famous by Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta.
Kovacic left Andy Carroll in his dust with the stunning move, which no doubt would have had Guardiola making comparisons with World Cup winner Iniesta.
Guardiola managed Iniesta during their time together at the Nou Camp and will now get the chance to manage Kovacic with a spectacular summer move on the cards.
The Chelsea midfielder is closing in on a move to Manchester City after the two clubs agreed a £30million fee for the player.
With personal terms already agreed, it means that Guardiola will finally get the chance to manage the experienced ex-Real Madrid star.
Along with Luka Modric and David Silva, Kovacic admitted to looking up to Iniesta in an interview during his Inter Milan days back in 2013.
He admitted that he loved ‘their movements, their timing, the way they spread the passes and work for others’, all qualities that fit perfectly with Guardiola’s expansive style of play.
With City fresh from winning the treble, the 29-year-old will be desperate to show Guardiola that he’s much more than an Iniesta fanboy though, with the Croatia international hoping that he can help City to a new level.
Kovacic is just one of a number of high-profile players that are expected to depart Stamford Bridge this summer.
The Blues have agreed to sell Kai Havertz to Arsenal in a deal rising to £65m, talkSPORT understands.
Meanwhile Manchester United are determined to sign Mason Mount after launching a new £50m offer.
N’Golo Kante has already been unveiled as a new Al Ittihad signing after swapping west London for Saudi Arabia on a free transfer.
And he won’t be the only player to make the move from Chelsea to the Gulf nation, with Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly all closing in on deals.