In Stevan Jovetic’s maiden season at Manchester City, he was plagued with injury and couldn’t take off. Now though, he has shined in the Sky Blue jersey and against AC Milan and Liverpool in the International Champions Cup, he has been as powerful as an F-35 jet; having harassed the helpless defenders with flurries of passes like bullets and flying under the radar behind enemy lines into good positions to score. As a result, the Montenegro international gained two braces against the Italian club and Premier League runners up respectively.
Although against AC Milan Jovetic shined and showcased his true skill and confidence with his second goal as he lifted the ball first time over a sliding defender and finished past Michael Agazzi, against Liverpool Jovetic showed why he can be Manchester City’s catalyst this season. He originally started the match flying in a tandem with Edin Dzeko, but lost his wingman in the second half and flew alone up front. He excelled in both situations as in the first half he was constantly creating chances for himself and his teammates, whether it be through his vision, precise passing or sublime footwork. In the second half, he played as the target man and led the line, being just as effective facing Simon Mignolet as looking back away from goal and bringing his teammates into the game. This flair earned him his easy finishes as he deserved the glory having taken up great positions and anticipating each of his goals.
While Jovetic has started the preseason games as a striker and spent his time in Serie A in this position, he is very versatile. Unlike his competitors Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko, Jovetic has this quality and can play anywhere up front. He can play the aforementioned striker role, play behind the striker and either wing, using his explosive pace and skill to excel in each position.
Along with his versatility, Jovetic’s flair and ability can make him instrumental this season to Manchester City. When on the ball, the former Fiorentina forward turns on the afterburners and zooms past defenders, and in one on one situations with defenders he always tries to use skill and manages to pull off a nutmeg or something unique that works. Something that has only started to appear is his play maker side, having constantly sprayed balls forward for his team to run onto in good positions, and with creative midfielders such as Samir Nasri and David Silva in the side, next season if he stays fit Jovetic should slide into the side like a piece of the jigsaw puzzle.
Last season Jovetic only started two Premier League games and appeared eleven times off the bench. In this limited season the twenty four year old scored three times though, and his goal tally should increase this season as he hopefully won’t be blessed with injuries. Whenever he appeared off the bench last season for the Etihad outfit in the Premier League, he added an unmatched energy like that of an unbroken stallion, and with Sergio Aguero’s fitness in doubt, Dzeko’s inconsistency and Alvaro Negredo’s injury, Jovetic may be crucial at the start of the season and should start against Newcastle when City start their title defence.
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