Mateo Kovacic hopes that he will be able to kick on at Chelsea following his season-long loan move from Real Madrid.
The Croat moved to Stamford Bridge earlier this summer with Thibaut Courtois moving to the Spanish capital for around £35million.
Kovacic did not feature regularly with Los Blancos as the European champions have the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro starting ahead of him.
As a result, the midfielder grew disillusioned during his three years at the Santiago Bernabeu. But after coming on for the Blues and impressing against Arsenal he is hoping that the ‘trust’ he has gained from new manager Maurizio Sarri will help him fulfill his potential.
Kovacic told sports channel Sport Klub: “It was important that after three years of inconsistency in playing time in Madrid I’ve got into a team that wants me and a coach who wants and trusts me. That’s how Chelsea happened.”
He was also a member of the Croatia squad but often found himself on the bench – but when asked about developing under Sarri – Kovacic spoke highly of the new man in charge of the Premier League side and of the new tactics being implemented under his stewardship.
He continued: “That’s what I really need now and I want to keep it that way.”
“He’s known me for a long time and that’s what matters in my opinion. The squad is phenomenal with many great players – that is why is wasn’t so hard to adapt quickly.
“The tempo is higher and there is more space, but it is not hard to adapt when you are surrounded by great players.”
The west London side will be looking to maintain their 100% start in the league when they travel St James’s Park to face Newcastle United this Sunday.
Kovacic will be pushing for a starting place against the Magpies but he faces competition from Ross Barkley who has impressed so far under the former Napoli manager.