Mateo Kovacic has dismissed speculation over his future at Manchester City, with the midfielder claiming the club "count on me" despite uncertainty over his contract.
Kovacic, who has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, has been linked with a move away from City this summer. However, the 32-year-old insists that he has not felt any "question marks" from the club about his future.
In a statement, Kovacic said: "I didn't feel the question marks from them. I spoke with them, it was that they count on me, which was important for me to hear that from them." The player's comments come after new boss Enzo Maresca sounded unconvincing when asked about Kovacic's future following Saturday's friendly against Inter Milan.
Maresca said: "Mateo is our player, until the day he is here I will try all my best. It is my duty to try to help players give their best. If he is here I am happy and we will continue to work with him."
Kovacic's comments suggest that he is committed to the club, despite missing the majority of last season due to injuries. The midfielder played only nine times for City last season, having suffered Achilles and ankle injuries.
The 32-year-old has a chance to deputise for Spain World Cup-winning midfielder Rodri, who is unlikely to be fit for the first part of the campaign after having back surgery. Kovacic featured for 45 minutes in Saturday's game and will now compete with Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez, and new club record signing Elliot Anderson for a starting role in the middle of the park.
Anderson, who joined City for £116m from Nottingham Forest, is yet to link up with his new team-mates as he enjoys extra time off following his exploits with England at the World Cup. Kovacic believes that Anderson will bring a lot of quality and physicality to the side, saying: "I think a lot of quality, a lot of physicality because he has shown that he is capable of running a lot, being good on the ball, being good off the ball."
In recent years, English top-flight clubs have spent huge sums on central midfielders, with Chelsea signing Moises Caicedo for £115m and Enzo Fernandez for £106m, and Arsenal spending £100m on Declan Rice. Kovacic believes that Manchester City are among the best clubs in the league, saying: "I think it is the best league and the best players are here. There are some amazing midfielders."
The future of Kovacic at Manchester City remains uncertain, with the player's contract set to expire at the end of the season. However, for now, the midfielder seems committed to the club, saying: "And now, like I said, for the players it's always on you to show your best version, because if you are playing good, the manager will put you first."
Source: BBC Sports
