Chelsea defender Michael Hector believes that he is good enough to play for the Blues first team on a consistent basis.
Hector made a surprise move to Chelsea from Reading last season but the 24-year-old has struggled to earn regular minutes on the pitch at Stamford Bridge due to the intense competition for places.
Nonetheless, Hector has managed to impress this season while on loan at Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt and the Jamaican international believes that the spell in Germany has improved him enough to be able to challenge for a regular spot in the Chelsea lineup next season.
The 24-year-old told Goal: "I had never even been in Germany before Eintracht came along.
"People were surprised about me coming out here to play in Germany, but I feel if I can play in as many leagues, cultures and countries in my career, then I can get benefits and I am getting on a bit now.
"I went to Scotland, Ireland and now here. It makes me more of a man and it helps my game. I learn different techniques and learn how to deal with different situations. I am a professional footballer. It has been a good journey to experience all these different types of ways to play football.
"I feel that I have improved my passing and defending, but I would have liked to have played a little more as I came to play. To play at this level [has been useful], but ultimately, I'd like to play in the Premier League.
"Obviously a few people may have doubted that I could step up to the Premier League from the Championship [before my move], but to play in the Bundesliga in a good team, against good teams as well, I feel now that I have proven that I can play at the top level.
"A few more games between now and the end of the season will stand me in good stead for next season and to kick on. Back home they analyse my games and have seen a step up since I was at Reading. The decisions are getting better and situations are improving during the game and that's why I am on loan: to improve."
Throughout his career, Hector has played for 13 different clubs - 11 of which came in loan moves away from boyhood club Reading.
