Mateo Kovacic shines in Chelsea win over Tottenham to showcase Frank Lampard’s mindset on the pitch

The Croatian midfielder, who was positive on the ball against Spurs, benefited from the change of formation

Kovacic hugs Lampard after Chelsea beat Tottenham (AP)

It is the modern way with most young managers at the top of the game, who often plead with their players to be bold in possession, especially in midfield. Frank Lampard is no different, but finding players capable of remaining loyal to that mindset is not easy.

It is for this reason that Mateo Kovacic is finally blossoming at Stamford Bridge for a side still searching for consistency. The Croatian has gradually adjusted to life in England since his initial loan last season. Yet the Blues, perhaps spurred on by their transfer ban, didn’t hesitate in coughing up £40m last summer to make his move permanent. Yet some, probably fairly, doubted whether his impact justified such investment.

In three seasons in Madrid, Kovacic was tasked with a squad role as Los Blancos won three consecutive Champions League. Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s undeniable importance, that Madrid are often characterised as lacking identity. But Kovacic’s compatriot Luka Modric and Toni Kroos provided control in the most important moments.

While still short of that class, their influence can evidently be seen in the way Kovacic operates and his display against Spurs was perhaps his most encouraging yet in blue.

The 25-year-old completed 69 passes at 94.8 per cent, according to Who Scored, with 42 of those coming inside the visitors’ half (at 90.5 per cent). Thriving in his responsibility to break the lines of Tottenham’s rigid set-up, he pulled off five dribbles, two key passes and a through ball. He didn’t neglect the grubbier side of the game either, reclaiming possession on a game-high 15 occasions.

Kovacic hugs Lampard after Chelsea beat Tottenham (AP)

A glowing Lampard emphasised the team’s outlook after the derby victory following a troubling run of just one win in six league games.

“Positivity is big but there’s a balance between being honest, sometimes honest isn’t that positive, if there are reasons why we’re not winning games here, we have to say them,” he explained. “But after that we have to say, ‘how can we get this right?’ We have to find a solution, it was today about mindset and how we approach the game.

“We have to take that into account moving forward. It’s not easy, it’s tough. The positivity, and the confidence, comes from training, the behaviour day in, day out, the focus of how we are every day relates to the weekend.”

A lot of that confidence came from reverting to the 3-4-3 system that suits Kovacic nicely.

He could often be seen dropping into a deep pocket between Chelsea’s centre-backs, with one impressive ball splitting six Spurs players to find the onrushing Ross Barkley entering the final third.

Kovacic was excellent against Spurs (AP)

The added protection laterally and in behind has helped him – and Jorginho – to wander forwards, often in tandem with the Italian. So much so that you could often toss a blanket over Chelsea’s only two centre-midfielders in the final third. That positional freedom will be tested further against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, but it was a promising initial sign that Chelsea can cope without the injured N’Golo Kante.

Bayern are unlikely to be as reserved as Spurs were initially on Saturday, which could provide further joy for Kovacic. If Hans-Dieter Flick’s side look to seize the initiative in the tie with a high line, lofted passes in behind such as the one that found Mason Mount late on could offer some joy in transition.

So while Lampard continues to emphasise positivity off the pitch, Kovacic now represents the standard on it.