Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria has urged his Chelsea teammates to play better ahead of Thursday’s Premier League game against Manchester City.

The Blues are now 18 points behind league leaders Arsenal and, crucially, seven away from the Champions League qualification spots.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, Zakaria told reporters: “We drew and it is not a good result for us but we have to work and be ready for Manchester City.

“It’s hard to say [what’s going wrong] but we have to play better. We didn’t play well [against Forest]. It’s difficult to take the three points here if you don’t play well.

“We just have to work as a team and it will get better. It’s difficult to say exactly why it is not working.

“Chelsea is a big team. We all know that. Yes, it is a difficult time for us but it will improve in the future, for sure.”

“I will prepare for it like the other games,” he added. “Every team is good in the Premier League so you have to prepare. I will be ready like always.

“We’re looking forward to playing in a top football match. Against City, it is always really, really difficult so we will have to play well and score all our chances.

“We will have to do a big game, if we don’t do a big game against Manchester City then it is hard to win.”