Mateo Kovacic has confirmed he is ready to 'change environment' and leave Chelsea this summer after enduring a 'really bad season' at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking ahead of Croatia's Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands next week, the 29-year-old midfielder admitted he is very likely to leave the west London club this summer, with only one year left on his current Blues deal.
Kovacic also took the opportunity to heap praise on Manchester City, labelling Pep Guardiola's Treble-chasers a 'top team', amid talk of a potential move to the Etihad.
City will be in the market for a new midfielder if they are unable to extend Ilkay Gundogan's deal, with their out-of-contract captain attracting interest from Barcelona and and a handful of Saudi Arabian outfits.
Kovacic is expected to join the Premier League and FA Cup champions next season, having impressed Guardiola during his time at Real Madrid and Chelsea.
'I have one year left on my contract with Chelsea. It's been a really bad season,' the midfielder admitted.
'Everything indicates that after five years I will change the environment , but we will see what happens.'
Ahead of City's Champions League final against his old club Inter Milan on Saturday, which could secure English football's first Treble since 1999, Kovacic added: 'Manchester City is a top team and deserves to be in the Champions League final.
'That's what I have to say. The summer is long, we'll see what happens in the future.'
The Croat played 37 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions this season, scoring once and providing two assists in a turbulent campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Struggling to carve out positive results under Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and interim manager Frank Lampard, the Blues finished the Premier League season in 12th, a staggering 27 points off fourth place.
New boss Mauricio Pochettino will hope to recover Chelsea's form after a hefty summer rebuild in west London, attempting to gel the glut of new additions signed during Todd Boehly's debut season as owner.
Fellow midfielder Mason Mount is also heading towards the exit door, with Manchester United and Liverpool both fighting for his signature, although it is understood Pochettino wants to keep the England star among his ranks.
VIKINGSB
1
kante is not striker but you cant expect goals from midfielder
Really?. Maybe that's one of the reason Real Madrid allowed him to leave without a fight. A whole midfielder with only one assist and without a goal...a whole season. Are you serious?.
bumbcdoty
0
kovacic is the hero of zero mad man plays foot ball by leg not in mind leave my club chelsea.
AndroG
0
Really?. Is Kante a striker?.
kante is not striker but you cant expect goals from midfielder
VIKINGSB
1
strikers are for goals not defensive midfielder
Really?. Is Kante a striker?.
Upington
0
Kovacic is a good player
Yezceklsu
0
strikers are for goals not defensive midfielder
Midfielders are for assists buh bro doesn’t get up to 3 assists the whole season, I like him though buh he’s free to leave
AndroG
0
Kova, you were not helping Chelsea team at all. A midfielder without goals and assist a whole season?. Please leave, Chelsea don't need such midfielder... Chelsea needs a Lampard-like midfielder as a player.
strikers are for goals not defensive midfielder
Gauzy
0
I like the guy and would love for him to say. But to say Chelsea has had a terrible season is admitting that he himself is terrible.
Emchi
2
You're going no where!
VIKINGSB
2
Kova, you were not helping Chelsea team at all. A midfielder without goals and assist a whole season?. Please leave, Chelsea don't need such midfielder... Chelsea needs a Lampard-like midfielder as a player.
tauacimosz
0
Why is everyone running away from Chelsea? 😂
Wadekoprs
1
come to city kovacic you are welcome
Noheimprsu
1
me i don't care about kova unless kante is better than kova
1broh
1
Even kovacic knows they are terrible 😂😂
Ceoaciknpz
2
flirting and praising a rival team shows he doesn't care about our club however it's all about his wellbeing
Gudiest
1
Kovacic is a very good player man utd should just sign him 🙏
ciseilmu
4
I can't wait to see him gone. Kante was all I wanted to stay but since he gone, we need a whole new set of mids
JuniorSmol
1
this wll not work Sir Gundogun goes nowhere ,G man city material