Kovacic, 24, spent three seasons on the fringes of Zidane’s squad at the Bernabeu before deciding to seek a new challenge.

He joined  Chelsea on a season-long loan and is thriving under the management of Maurizio Sarri.

When he was asked  what is means to play for a manager who has faith in him, Kovacic replied,  “I needed it. I needed it a lot because I didn’t get this type of confidence in the last years. Now I’m really enjoying it but I need to pay back on the pitch.”

The Croatia International and 2018 Worldcup finalist claims he wasn’t given a chance to shine at the Bernabeu by Zinedine Zidane after moing to the Spanish Giants from Inter Milan in 2016.

He went on and said, “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 what I really need now and I want to keep it that way. The Coach has 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 team is really talented and I think we can do great things this season. ”

Kovacic has started Chelsea’s last four Premier League fixtures and appears to have immediately gelled with midfield colleagues Jorginho and N’Golo Kante.

Maurizio Sarri has already indicated he is willing to keep the Croatia international on a permanent basis.

But Kovacic claims he is not currently thinking about his future beyond this season.

“It is too early and I have to respect my contract with Real Madrid,” he said.

“But for now I’m really happy with Chelsea. The city is amazing. The fans are great. The stadium, everything is nice. I could imagine myself staying here.”