Friday 23 March 2018 07:37, UK
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan believes he is close to finding his best form, having been hampered by injuries since his arrival.
The Germany international joined City in July 2016 but his debut was delayed after he suffered a dislocated kneecap earlier that year.
Gundogan went on to make 16 appearances in the 2016-17 season but then sustained a serious knee ligament injury.
However, the 27-year-old returned in September's Premier League win over Watford and has featured 38 times for City across all competitions this season.
He told the club website: "I just think about now, about being part of the team, about training well and playing well, about doing what the manager and the staff want me to transport into the team.
"I have my own impact and during the last months, I was still on my way to my best. Now, I feel nearly or already there, and I am having fun and I'm happy."
Manchester City have already won the EFL Cup this season, are 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and have a Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool to look forward to.
"It feels great," said Gundogan. "But this is just the beginning, I think. We are still on a road, a good way, I think, with the way we play, to come into that elite of clubs in Europe.
"I wouldn't say we are there. We need to compete with teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus - the biggest teams."
