in a 3–0 win over Real Sociedad. He was a part-time starter when Madrid won the 2016–17 La Liga and the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League. During the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, Kovačić made six appearances when Madrid won their third consecutive—and 13th overall—UEFA Champions League title. Chelsea On 8 August 2018, Kovačić joined Chelsea on a one-year loan. He made his debut in a 3–2 home win against Arsenal on 18 August, appearing as a second-half substitute. On 29 May 2019, he was named a starter for 2019 UEFA Europa League Final in Baku, playing until 78th minute when he was substituted off for Ross Barkley, as Chelsea defeated Arsenal 4–1. On 1 July, Kovačić completed a permanent transfer to Chelsea, signing a five-year contract. After an underwhelming season under Maurizio Sarri, he turned into one of the most important Chelsea players under new coach Frank Lampard. Kovačić scored his first goal for Chelsea on 27 November, in a 2–2 Champions League draw against Valencia at Mestalla Stadium. On 7 December, he scored his first Premier League goal in a 1–3 away loss to Everton. In the 2020 FA Cup Final on 1 August 2020, he was controversially sent off for a rather soft challenge on Granit Xhaka, as Chelsea lost 2–1 to Arsenal. On 25 August, he was named the Chelsea Player of the Year. On 23 September 2020, Kovačić marked his 100th appearance for the club against Barnsley in the third round of the EFL Cup as Chelsea won 6–0 at home. After a rougher start of the season, Kovačić regained form from the previous season following the appointment of new manager Thomas Tuchel. Ahead of the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Porto, Kovačić sustained a tendon injury and was forced to miss the semi-final tie against his former club Real Madrid, which Chelsea won 3–1 on aggregate. Despite previously winning three Champions Leagues, on 29 May 2021, Kovačić played in a Champions League Final for the first time in his career, coming on for Mason Mount in the 80th minute, as Chelsea defeated Manchester City 1–0. Ahead of the 2021–22 season, Kovačić switched from his number 17 shirt to the number 8 shirt, most prominently worn by the club legend Frank Lampard. On 11 September 2021, he provided Romelu Lukaku with an assist and scored in a 3–0 victory over Aston Villa. In late