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 playing 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.”
