Paris Saint-Germain's Layvin Kurzawa has admitted that he has been "fortunate" to have enjoyed a full preseason with the French champions this summer after he was called up by France coach Didier Deschamps for the first time since back in November of 2014.
The 23-year-old has scored three goals and assisted another in three competitive appearances across all competitions so far this season and he returns to Stade Louis II to face former club AS Monaco with PSG on Sunday.
"Yes, it is true that this year I have been fortunate enough to have a good preseason and been able to put in some quality training sessions," Kurzawa told the capital club's official website when asked about his call up to face Italy and Belarus.
"I think that is why I have made a good start to the season. With three wins for the team, it has been positive. We have to keep going like that."
Under former coach Laurent Blanc, Kurzawa played second fiddle to Maxwell at left-back. Under new boss Unai Emery, though, the full-backs play a far more important role -- particularly in attack -- than they did under Le President.
The man from Frejus on the left and Serge Aurier on the right, with summer signing Thomas Meunier as backup -- for now -- give PSG much greater width than they ever before and Kurzawa acknowledged that Emery's fresh tactical approach has enabled him to "shine" and be "more at ease."
"There are a lot of reasons for my good start to the season, notably the preseason that I did not do with PSG last year," Kurzawa said.
"The tactical system also gives me more of a chance to shine.
"Since I arrived here I have always done everything I can to be able to give my best. It's true that I'm more at ease now after a year here, I have settled in and I'm flourishing more within the squad."
Left-back rival Maxwell celebrated his 35th birthday on Saturday but Kurzawa only had praise for his teammate and admitted that he admires the "exemplary" Brazilian veteran.
"It is the same as last season," Kurzawa responded when asked if their relationship has changed since last term.
"Maxwell is a great guy, he always conducts himself in an exemplary fashion. He is a role model, and I will continue to follow his example as long as I play alongside him."
One of the reasons why Kurzawa has been able to usurp Maxwell so early this campaign is not just because of the Frenchman's fast start to life under Emery. It is also because of the physical difficulties the Basque tactician's 4-2-3-1 style of play entails.
"The full-backs are very important in the system the coach has put in place," Kurzawa said.
"You can see that in terms of the statistic -- we are covering 11 or 12 kilometres on average per game. We have to always be on the move, so we have to be in top shape."