'Kovacic is a mix of Kaka and Seedorf' – Trapattoni

The former Republic of Ireland boss showered the Croatia international with praise and believes Inter boss Walter Mazzarri will help the midfielder flourish

Giovanni Trapattoni has lavished praise on Inter prodigy Mateo Kovacic, describing him as a mixture of Kaka and Clarence Seedorf.

The 19-year-old joined the Nerazzurri in January and settled immediately as a deep-lying playmaker under Andrea Stramaccioni, before new coach Walter Mazzarri revamped his role as an attacking midfielder this season.

Former Republic of Ireland boss Trapattoni believes the Croatia starlet possesses similar qualities to the iconic Netherlands midfielder and Brazilian Kaka, and has tipped him to flourish under Mazzarri.

If left free to invent up front and with space, Kovacic can be very dangerous,” Trapattoni, who lead Inter from 1986 to 1991, told Radio 105.

He isn’t a director like [Andrea] Pirlo. Given Kovacic’s style of play and his technical charactheristics he’s more of a mix of Kaka and Seedorf.

Kovacic tends to dribble, has a lot of technique and great acceleration. He’s a class player and I think his skills should be exploited to the best.

“I wouldn’t burden Kovacic with tactical tasks now. Nowadays Mazzarri has integrated him very well at Inter.”

The Dinamo Zagreb youth product recently helped Croatia into the 2014 World Cup by assisting Darino Srna’s goal in their 2-0 play-off win against Iceland.

Kovacic, who has also been compared to compatriot and former AC Milan hero Zvonimir Boban, has made 11 appearances in Inter’s climb to fourth in Serie A this season.

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