Ilkay Gundogan has claimed that Manchester City are ready to showcase their title credentials as they prepare to face Premier League champions Chelsea this weekend.
Pep Guardiola's charges have impressed in the league in recent weeks, scoring 16 unanswered goals in wins over Liverpool, Watford and Crystal Palace.
Up next for the Citizens is arguably their biggest challenge yet, heading to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea side boosted by a 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
"It's a huge game and it's away, so it's even more difficult, but we feel ready," Gundogan told Sky Sports News.
"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.
"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 recently returned to first-team action after nine months on the sidelines following knee surgery.
No Data Analysis info
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic