Mateo Kovacic played only nine times last season for Manchester City because of injury.

Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic says the club "count on me" despite being linked with a move away this summer. Reports suggest Serie A sides Juventus and former club Inter Milan are interested in taking the Croatia international back to Italy.

The 32-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and is yet to be offered a new deal. Kovacic played only nine times for City last season, having missed the majority of the campaign because of Achilles and ankle injuries.

New boss Enzo Maresca sounded unconvincing when asked about Kovacic's future after Saturday's friendly against Inter, saying: "Mateo is our player, until the day he is here I will try all my best. 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."

But the player himself is in no doubt, saying: "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. And now, like I said, 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."

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Spain World Cup-winning midfielder Rodri is unlikely to be fit for the first part of the campaign after having back surgery. Kovacic featured for 45 minutes in Saturday's game and now has a chance to deputise, with Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez and new club record signing Elliot Anderson all vying for a starting role in the middle of the park.

"I've played together with Rodri and without him as well," said Kovacic. "So with him not being here now I can of course fill that spot, but let's see when he comes back."

Anderson, meanwhile, is yet to link up with his new team-mates as he enjoys extra time off following his exploits with England at the World Cup, where the side reached the semi-finals. The 23-year-old joined City for £116m from Nottingham Forest, where he became one of the star players and played all 38 Premier League games last season.

Asked what Anderson will bring to the side, Kovacic said: "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. He is young, so he can improve a lot still at City, and I think it's a great signing for us."

In recent years, English top-flight clubs have spent huge sums on central midfielders - Chelsea signed Moises Caicedo for £115m and Enzo Fernandez for £106m, while Arsenal spent £100m on Declan Rice.

"I think it is the best league and the best players are here," added Kovacic. "There are some amazing midfielders. Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes, Aston Villa have many good midfielders. [Manchester] United are now bringing midfielders. So I think every club has some great midfielders."

This video can not be played. Kovacic on Man City future and Maresca.

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