Mateo Kovacic has revealed how he, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are all supporting each other this season despite the fierce competition for midfield places at Chelsea.
Since arriving from Real Madrid on a season-long loan in the summer, Kovacic has been preferred by Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri as the left-sided midfielder in his 4-3-3 system.
However, in recent weeks, Barkley has forced his way into Sarri's plans after scoring two goals in two games and also notching an assist in the Premier League.
Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, has only made two substitute appearances in the top flight but did start for the second time this season in Chelsea's Europa League game at home to BATE Borisov on Thursday night - and showed Sarri his qualities with a career first hat-trick.
With Sarri suggesting he is in a difficult position because of the number of midfielders he has for just two spots, Kovacic has insisted the players do not feel they are in competition with each other.
Kovacic told Standard Sport: "We are footballers but we are 25 players so we need to support each other. One day I play then the next day Ross, then Ruben. We have a lot of players.
"N’Golo [Kante], [Cesc] Fabregas, Jorginho, so a lot of quality in the midfield. It’s normal you can’t play every game so we are supporting each other, the season is long and we need every player."
Barkley recently revealed how much he has learned under Sarri, who replaced Antonio Conte in the summer, and Kovacic says he has also improved this season.
He said: "[I have improved] a lot, a lot. We are pressing high, we are playing very nice football, people like it, but we can do much better."
Kovacic is yet to find the back of the net in Chelsea colours, but underlined the importance of playing an attractive and attacking brand of football while winning games.
"The midfielders need to score more goals, me obviously, and Ruben scored three against BATE. So he did well," the 24-year-old said.
"But, in general, we need to play much better because we have a lot of quality in our team. I hope to score soon but in the end it’s not too important.
"Of course, I want to score but it’s important that we play good football and push forwards, that’s better."
