Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori says he's a better player for the competition within the squad.

Central defence has been perhaps the most competitive area of the team this season, with Tomori battling with Kurt Zouma, Toni Rudiger and Andreas Christensen for one of usually two places in the starting line-up.

"Having competition helps the team to improve because everyone wants to play," he told chelseafc.com. "You know if you want to get in the team then you have to better than the person who's got the shirt at that time so you have to take it from them.

"Individually, it spurs you on but then it also makes the team better because everyone is going to be firing on all cylinders trying to get into the team. When you do get your spot, you have to play well to keep your place so I think the fact that there is that friendly competition means everybody knows you have to be on your game.

"If you train well, you can get in the team and if you play well then you'll stay in the team. Having that breeds this friendly, competitive nature and spirit that we have and it can only be a positive thing."