The 24-year-old has been a regular in Maurizio Sarri’s side, having started 12 and come on in four of the league games so far. He feels settled, as he has been explaining.

‘It was the toughest thing of course, it is difficult to leave Real Madrid, but the most important thing in my career. I went away young to Inter, to a great club and it is difficult when you go at such a young age to such a great club, then I moved to Real Madrid. It was difficult but the most important thing was for me to find the right club and I am sure in Chelsea I have found the right club for now. I am enjoying it and it is a great club and the time in England I spend with my family is amazing.’

Kovacic points out he is currently being played in what he considers his best position, in central midfielder on the left or the right, having been played in many positions at former clubs, including on the wing.

He has also spoken about life under the management of Maurizio Sarri.

‘He likes us to have possession of the ball to play and that is what we are trying to do. I think we play good football, we are playing forward and that is the most important, we are scoring goals, we do not concede so much so we are a good team but the coach is six months here so we have a lot to improve and I am sure this team can do great things.

‘He [Sarri] is like he should be. When he needs to be relaxed he is relaxed and when he needs to be tough and sometimes also angry, he is. He knows what to do and he knows his job and it is really great to have him with us. We train good, we are playing good football but it always can be better and I am sure it will be.’

Having lost last time out, against Leicester on Saturday, we are in need of a good result later today at Vicarage Road.

‘I watch every team and here in England every team is difficult and we have seen you can be relaxed against nobody,’ says Kovacic. ‘It is a difficult league and everybody can win against everybody and Watford will be a tough game but not just Watford. Here every game is tough and you need to fight really hard to get the three points.’