Mateo Kovacic seeks Real Madrid exit in search of game time

Posted Saturday, June 23, 2018 by Skysports.com

Mateo Kovacic seeks Real Madrid exit in search of game time
Midfielder in Russia with Croatia at World Cup

Mateo Kovacic has revealed he wants to leave Real Madrid this summer and move to a club where he can "play regularly".

The 24-year-old midfielder is currently in Russia with Croatia and has featured in both of their opening Group D games - registering one assist.

Kovacic has become frustrated by a lack of game time in Madrid - struggling to compete with Luka Modric and Toni Kross for a first-team place - making only 55 starts since joining from Inter Milan in 2015.

"I would like to play more at Real Madrid because I love football and I love being on the pitch," he told Spanish publication Marca. "I know that it's difficult to be a starter at Real Madrid, especially when I arrived at a really young age.

"I understand the situation, but because of that I believe the best thing for me would be to go to another club where I'd have the opportunity to play regularly as a starter. I think I can have this opportunity and it's one I want right now."

"I think that all of the players at Real Madrid are important," he added."The problem is that it's difficult to get consistency when you're a young player. Without that consistency I will never be able to show my potential.

"Of course I am not happy when I don't play.

"I have really enjoyed these three years in Madrid, alongside some incredible team-mates and winning trophies, but I haven't been completely happy because my contribution to all of this hasn't been complete and this is something I want to change."