Stan Collymore has questioned why Chelsea are allowing Mateo Kovacic to make the switch to Manchester City.

Reports suggest that the Croatian international could seal a £35m move to the Etihad this summer, with personal terms close to being agreed. However, Collymore can’t understand why Chelsea are willing to strengthen a rival:

“What are Chelsea thinking by allowing Mateo Kovacic to hold talks with Manchester City? They are contributing to City’s success and to their own detriment… Kovacic has just turned 29, possesses a winning mentality thanks to three straight Champions League wins at Real Madrid plus another and a Europa League while at Stamford Bridge.”

“He might not score too often but he creates and his ability to pass over the top will suit Erling Haaland down to the ground. The Croatian will not be the first name on Guardiola’s team-sheet should the deal be completed but he will make City stronger and that’s why it is the latest bizarrely bad decision from Chelsea.”

It should be pointed out that City have been accused of the same thing when they let both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko go to Arsenal last summer.

The main reason why teams are more willing to sell to division rivals than they used to is due to the financial might of the Premier League.

Clubs from other countries simply can’t pay the asking prices that teams like City and Chelsea are demanding. That inevitably leads to Premier League sides doing deals with each other instead.

Kovacic should be an excellent addition for City

As Collymore mentions, Kovacic has a strong record when it comes to winning important games and trophies with the clubs he has been at.

If either Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva do leave City this summer, the Croatian would be a decent replacement for either player, whilst being brought in for a pretty reasonable price.