Mateo Kovacic
31-Year-Old
Manchester City
Premier
OUT
Injury Achilles
Est. Return 2/7/2026
Given 3-4 month timeline
Kovacic underwent a second surgery on his Achilles was given a three-to-four month timeline by Pep Guardiola. "Mentally he's strong, he accepted it [the injury] really good. Of course we're going to miss him, I guess maybe three or four months [out], I don't know - it's difficult to tell."
ANALYSIS
Kovacic underwent a similar surgery in June which held him out until late September. Given that it's the similar surgery if not the same one, he'll likely be held out until February if not longer. That puts more pressure on Nico Gonzalez and Rodri to perform in every match, though it's not bad to have two elite options in the midfield. As for Kovacic, he'll hope to get back his full fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Kovacic underwent a similar surgery in June which held him out until late September. Given that it's the similar surgery if not the same one, he'll likely be held out until February if not longer. That puts more pressure on Nico Gonzalez and Rodri to perform in every match, though it's not bad to have two elite options in the midfield. As for Kovacic, he'll hope to get back his full fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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Set to undergo new surgery
Kovacic is set to undergo heel surgery in the coming days and will be sidelined until February, according to Sportske Novosti.
ANALYSIS
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Set to miss time
Kovacic (ankle) is set to miss time since he is still suffering from complications, coach Pep Guardiola said in a press conference, according to City Xtra. "He has a problem still with the ankle, and a little complications still there. We'll wait on him for the last part of the season."
ANALYSIS
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Plays first minutes
Kovacic played his first minutes of the season in Saturday's 2-0 win against Everton but will see limited minutes moving forward, coach Pep Guardiola said in a press conference. "He has a special quality with the ball to keep it but we cannot forget that he has come from surgery and had three or four months injured. I don't want Kovacic for 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes. In time, he will get it but I don't have the feeling that he is ready to play it now. For 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, Kova with Bernie and the older players, they are extraordinary, they are fantastic."
ANALYSIS
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Building up fitness
Kovacic featured with Croatia over the international break and is building his fitness levels, according to manager Pep Guardiola. "He started 50-60 minutes, step-by-step. He needs to give us quality moments, quality time and quality minutes. Step-by-step, but it's important he's back."
ANALYSIS
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Available off bench
Kovacic (Achilles) is on the bench for Saturday's game against Burnley.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Could leave Man City
Kovacic could leave Manchester City in the near future and several teams are interested in him, according to Caught Offside.
ANALYSIS
Kovacic has been relegated to a secondary role at Manchester City, and that means he could pursue opportunities elsewhere in the coming months. AC Milan, Aston Villa and West Ham are among the clubs that are believed to be interested in the 31-year-old Manchester City and Croatia star.
Kovacic has been relegated to a secondary role at Manchester City, and that means he could pursue opportunities elsewhere in the coming months. AC Milan, Aston Villa and West Ham are among the clubs that are believed to be interested in the 31-year-old Manchester City and Croatia star.