That can be forgiven while the England international finds his feet in north London. But City’s midfield recruit, who cost less than a quarter of the price, showed that he is ready to hit the ground running after the departure of treble-winning captain Ilkay Gundogan.
Speaking to ITV before the game, Manchester United legend Roy Keane called Kovacic an ‘absolutely brilliant player’, adding: “He knows the league, he’s a strong boy, he turns up every week, he’s talented and he looks like a really good character – brilliant signing for Man City.”