Wednesday 27 September 2017 23:25, UK
Ilkay Gundogan says Manchester City are ready to showcase their title credentials when they visit Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea this weekend.
City have been in imperious form in the Premier League in recent weeks, winning their last three matches against Liverpool, Watford and Crystal Palace by a combined scoreline of 16-0.
Pep Guardiola's side face their biggest test of the season so far when they travel to London on Saturday to take on a Chelsea side that is brimming with confidence after their dramatic 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Midfielder Gundogan, 26, said: "It's a huge game and it's away, so it's even more difficult, but we feel ready.
"If you ask the manager there is always something to improve but we know that we are a great team, we have great players and it's just up to us to prove that every fourth day.
"It's also about character, going to Stamford Bridge against the champions to play our game.
"We're going to prove that we are ready for that and hopefully it will be a great game for us."
City's attackers have grabbed the headlines this season after plundering 21 goals in six league matches but they have also been rock solid at the back, conceding just twice.
"At the back too we have conceded few, so our defence has also done a great job in the last weeks. It's a combination of both and that's a really good recipe to win games," Gundogan said.
Gundogan recently returned to first-team action after nine months on the sidelines following knee surgery.
The Germany international suffered another injury scare on his return to football, coming off injured during City's third round League Cup game against West Brom.
But he insists he is feeling fine and is ready to contribute to City's title charge.
Gundogan said: "I'm just happy that I returned that quickly after that hard tackle. I tried to train on the Friday and I still felt a little bit in my knee.
"Saturday it was not possible to be in the squad but I trained Sunday and Monday and I felt good, so I'm just happy to return that quickly."
