Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria has told the Evening Standard that he is ready to play against Manchester City on Thursday.
The Switzerland international has started both games since the World Cup, with him being replaced in the second half in both of them.
The two appearances have already doubled his total for the club, after joining on loan last summer.
The 26-year-old had only been seen in cup competitions up until the international break, with him impressing particularly in the Champions League.
However, the absence of N’golo Kante through injury has opened up the potential for one of the fringe players to establish themselves to Graham Potter.
Zakaria has been handed the chance after Mateo Kovacic’s extended World Cup campaign saw him not return to the squad until after the Bournemouth game.
Zakaria ready for City
Now, with the Croatian likely to be available to start for Thursday’s match, Zakaria has claimed that he is ready to continue his run in the side.
He said: “I will prepare for it like the other games/ Every team is good in the Premier League so you have to prepare. I will be ready like always.
“We’re looking forward to playing in a top football match. Against City, it is always really, really difficult so we will have to play well and score all our chances.
“We will have to do a big game, if we don’t do a big game against Manchester City then it is hard to win.”
Zakaria will be entitled to feel like he is due a start again on Thursday, especially after experience playing against the Champions already this season.
His future may be up in the air however, after news surrounding Enzo Fernandez’s potential move to Stamford Bridge.
The Argentine is reportedly close to a move from Benfica after threatening to break team orders in terms of training.
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