Mateo Kovacic is targeting 10 goals a season for Inter, as he admits he needs to become a more selfish footballer.
The 20-year-old heads into the new campaign still without a goal to his name in 18 months with the Nerazzurri and eager to change that.
“In my head, that affects me little, not at all. As a kid I used move the ball on to my teammates to let them score,” Kovacic has explained to the Gazzetta dello Sport.
Mateo Kovacic is targeting 10 goals a season for Inter, as he admits he needs to become a more selfish footballer.
The 20-year-old heads into the new campaign still without a goal to his name in 18 months with the Nerazzurri and eager to change that.
“In my head, that affects me little, not at all. As a kid I used move the ball on to my teammates to let them score,” Kovacic has explained to the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“But I have to change this – when I have 10 goals a season, I will become a complete player. I always saw first my teammate and then the goal. I must learn to do the opposite.
“Am I doing specific work in training to this end? I often find myself on the edge of the area, I pass to a teammate when I could shoot at goal.
“At Pinetina we work a lot. This is something I have in common with Luka Modric – he also scores too little and we joke about it with the national squad.”
Even with his lack of goals to date, the youngster remains President Erick Thohir’s pick for the future.
“The President’s words please me. Now it is up to me, even if his backing does not place on me any extra pressure.”
Kovacic is set to adapt to a four-man midfield this season under Walter Mazzarri.
“As a kid I used to play behind the strikers, then in the first team at Dinamo Zagreb I moved back to central midfield in a 4-4-2.
“In the new system where I am Mazzarri sees me as fine. I have more space for my accelerations. Further forward I see less of the ball and I always want to stay in the heart of the game.”
The Croat was asked of the club’s hopes for 2014-15 and how they may measure up against the competition.
“I know the fans expect so much from us, but now we have to work, not make proclamations.
“The competition certainly has strengthened.
“Juve and Napoli have good players, Roma as well, and they certainly won’t be the same as that seen against us on Saturday.
“Are Juve weaker without Conte and perhaps without Vidal? Whilst Allegri is good, without their old Coach Juventus have lost something.
“And then if Vidal also leaves, they will have much less. Arturo is a top player, there are few midfielders capable of scoring 10-15 goals and to provide 10 assists each season.
“He runs that team, he is a complete player.”