The System had been tracking options since December. The scouting database, fed by David Carter's analysis team and the two recruitment specialists, had identified eleven midfielders across Europe who were available, affordable, and compatible with the Palace system. I reviewed the list that afternoon with Sarah and Dougie.
Most were wrong. Too old. Too expensive. Too slow. Too limited technically. Two were interesting. One was perfect.
Mateo Kovačić. Twenty-three years old. Croatian. Sitting on Real Madrid's bench behind Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, and Casemiro. Getting fifteen, twenty minutes a game when he got on at all. His talent was undeniable. His frustration was public. And his contract situation was the kind of leverage that made January loans possible.
Sarah watched three hours of footage in one sitting. She came to my office at nine that evening, her eyes tired but her voice sharp.
