Mateo Kovacic has moved to dampen speculation over his Manchester City future, insisting the club has reassured him of his importance to the squad despite links with a departure this summer.
The Croatian international has been strongly linked with a return to Italy, with reports pointing to interest from both Juventus and his former club Inter Milan. Kovacic, 32, is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and has not yet been handed fresh terms, fueling talk of an exit.
However, the midfielder himself dismissed any uncertainty over his standing at the club. "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," Kovacic said. He added that responsibility ultimately falls on the players to perform, noting, "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."
New City manager Enzo Maresca offered a more measured response when quizzed about Kovacic's situation following Saturday's friendly against Inter. "Mateo is our player, until the day he is here I will try all my best," Maresca said. "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 endured a difficult campaign last season, limited to just nine appearances for City after being sidelined for large stretches with Achilles and ankle problems. He returned to action for 45 minutes in the friendly against Inter and could now be handed a more prominent role given Spain international Rodri's expected absence from the early part of the new season following back surgery.
With Rodri out, competition for the defensive midfield spot has intensified, as Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez and club-record signing Elliot Anderson all push for a starting berth. Kovacic, who has experience playing both alongside and without Rodri in the past, suggested he is ready to step into the void. "I've played together with Rodri and without him as well," he said. "So with him not being here now I can of course fill that spot, but let's see when he comes back."
Anderson, City's marquee midfield addition of the summer, has yet to join his new teammates for pre-season training, having been given extra rest following England's run to the World Cup semi-finals. The 23-year-old arrived at City for £116million from Nottingham Forest, where he was a standout performer last season, featuring in all 38 Premier League matches.
Kovacic offered praise for his new colleague, highlighting the qualities he expects Anderson to bring to the squad. "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," Kovacic said. "He is young, so he can improve a lot still at City, and I think it's a great signing for us."
The Anderson transfer continues a broader trend of English clubs investing heavily in central midfield talent. Chelsea have previously spent £115million on Moises Caicedo and £106million on Enzo Fernandez, while Arsenal paid £100million for Declan Rice. Kovacic acknowledged the strength of competition across the Premier League, singling out Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes and Aston Villa's midfield options, while also noting Manchester United's recent recruitment in that area. "I think it is the best league and the best players are here," he said. "So I think every club has some great midfielders."
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.