Chelsea new boy Mateo Kovacic hopes to prove his worth at the club this season after becoming disillusioned during his time at Real Madrid.

The Croatian international has strict competition to contend with at Real, and often found himself left out of the team by then manager Zinedine Zidane.

He is a promising player, who is rated as one of the best up and coming midfielders in the world – but at the age he is at now, he should be kicking on and getting regular football.

Kovacic appeared as a substitute for the Blues against Arsenal last weekend, and hopes that he has gained ‘trust’ from manager Maurizio Sarri that will help him reach the standard everyone expects him to.

The loanee 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.

“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.”

Kovacic will be hoping that he can earn a place in the Blues’ starting XI this season, and potentially prove to Madrid what they are missing out on.