Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan says that it is no surprise Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are finding it difficult to adapt at Chelsea.
The Germany internationals both made the move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, but have not yet had the desired impact on the Premier League.
Werner has notched four goals and five assists so far this season, but has struggled and is now on a run of 11 games without a goal in all competitions.
Havertz has also struggled to produce at Stamford Bridge, though he has faced injury problems and a positive Covid-19 diagnosis.
Gundogan, who made the move to City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, says it is not easy to make a quick start in England and is confident that the duo will prove themselves eventually.
"They have two new German players who have tried to adapt as well as possible," Gundogan told Sky Sports News ahead of Sunday's trip to Chelsea.
"In general, I think it's not easy to adapt quickly to the Premier League when you come from a different country and now with the situation going on I think it's just even harder.
"So I think it's quite normal that they are struggling a little bit, but they both have incredible talent and I'm sure they will both be able to prove it in this league."
Werner starts whilst Havertz is on the bench as Chelsea face City at Stamford Bridge in what has proved to be a tight Premier League season so far.
Frank Lampard's side sixth in the table, while Pep Guardiola's team are level on points with two games in hand.
"There's not one team that is dominating, not just in England but across Europe," Gundogan added.
"All leagues in the world they seem very open at the moment and it's quite exciting I think. In the Premier League it is exciting for all of the clubs, the fans, so let's see what is going to happen.
"Obviously you want to win games and you want to get back to that first spot but everyone is challenging and competing with everything that they have. That's what makes this Premier League season so special.
"Like every year Chelsea have a great squad with incredible players, they are a great team and they have a really ambitious manager so I feel like they will really challenge us. Not just at the weekend but also generally in the league.
"They got some really talented, young recruits in the summer, spent a lot of money and got some really good players so I think they will do well. They've done well, of course they are also a team that struggles like everyone does but they have a lot of quality and it's going to be a great game on Sunday."
