Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has called for Mateo Kovačić to improve his goalscoring record with the Blues after the midfielder's impressive form in the early months of the 2019/20 campaign.
The Croat has made a total of 68 appearances for the Blues since joining from Real Madrid in the summer of 2018, but is yet to find the back of the net.
Having initially joined on a loan deal, Kovačić completed a permanent switch to west London over the off-season, Chelsea paying Los Blancos €40m.
Despite the fact he is yet to break his duck for the Blues, the 25-year-old's form has taken a significant upturn since Lampard replaced Maurizio Sarri at the Chelsea helm.
Asked whether he is hoping Kovačić's can start adding goals to his game, the manager said (as quoted by Metro): "Yes. I do and he does. After the quality he has shown in big parts this season, I think the natural progression is goals and we are working on that one.
"You might see a big smile if he scores, not just from me, but from the group because we know he has the quality to score and that will be the next step."
Lampard also addressed why the former Real man has blossomed under his tutelage, explaining: "I think it’s commonplace for players coming from a foreign league to the Premier League to have a period of settling in.
"I thought there were some really good signs and positives from him last year. The fact he was changing in and out of the team is never easy, I get that. I do think he feels at home now.
"Not that I knew how he was last year, but his personality shines through in the group. He’s a very likeable character with a nice tough side to him, in terms of how I see him on the pitch and off the pitch.
"He’s now signed to the club, I get that that can make someone feel happy, and he’s been playing really well."
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Source :
90min
