ILLIA Zabarnyi insists he needs to “improve more” and “learn faster”, despite playing every minute for Cherries in the Premier League so far this season.

The 21-year-old joined the club in January, but was restricted to just five appearances as he battled back from injury.

Already this term Zabarnyi has played five times for Cherries, helping them keep a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Discussing his own form so far this season, the centre-back told the Daily Echo: “Of course I am happy to play every game so far.

“I say it every time, but I need to improve more. I need to learn faster and just do what I will do.”

Reflecting on the game against Chelsea, Zabarnyi added: “It was a good game and for us one point is not bad, playing against Chelsea.

“Chelsea have a good team with quality players of course. One point is good.

“It’s really important, a clean sheet, because we had started to concede a lot of goals.

“We need to grow up all together, like a team. It was a massive performance from the boys.”

Zabarnyi is one of a handful of Ukraine internationals in the Premier League. He came up against another on Sunday, with winger Mykhailo Mudryk starting for the Blues.

“Mudryk is a good player, unbelievable I would say,” Zabarnyi said.

“Of course I wanted to wish him all the best, because he is proud to promote Ukraine, like me.

“I am trying to help him in the national team to do some things.

“On the pitch, I don’t have friends, just before the match and after the match. But on the pitch, I don’t have friends.”

Zabarnyi’s centre-back partner changed for the Chelsea clash, with Lloyd Kelly preferred to Marcos Senesi from the start, the Argentinean coming on in the second half.

“Lloydy and Marcos are great players,” said Zabarnyi.

“There is very good communication with us. It is easy to play with them both.”