Andreas Christensen is seen as one of Chelsea's best young players, but he thinks that it is Ruben Loftus-Cheek who sets the standard for those coming through the club's youth academy.
The pair won the UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup together, but Loftus-Cheek is the one who has gone on to earn his spot in the first-team, while Christensen went out on loan to Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Christensen and he thinks Loftus-Cheek's breakthrough last season has been inspiring for the young players at the club.
"I have played with him," Christensen told Goal. "He was one of the main guys who I was hanging out with when I got to the club. He’s a great person and a very good player and to see him doing that well, he took the step, he is the one every youth player should look up to and he took that step by staying at the club the whole time.
"He has been there at the club since he was very young, so I am impressed with what he has done. I text him after both of his goals. He was buzzing and was very happy and his first Premier League goal, wow.
"I watch his games and I am seeing him do a good job for Chelsea. I always text him to say 'well done' and I still have contact with him a lot despite being here at Gladbach. He keeps half an eye on Gladbach too."
Antonio Conte will take charge of Chelsea for his first Premier League game on Monday and his new club are hopeful of a return on their investment in their academy, as they expect the likes of Ola Aina and Nathaniel Chalobah can breakthrough as Loftus-Cheek did last season.
Chelsea's youngsters had limited opportunity under Jose Mourinho and had up to 33 players out at on loan at one time last season.
And Christensen thinks his loan deal away was essential for him despite the success of Loftus-Cheek in west London.
"It is different for every player. Ruben is doing great," he added. "I think he could get more games but he stayed at the club and proved that was what was best for him. It is working for him and for me it was best to get out and get some playing time.
"You have to do what’s best for you and find your own path to the first team, look at Nathan Ake who is doing well, there’s a lot of youth players that I played with that are doing well, and they are doing it in all different ways. It is impressive, I think.
"These lads dominated the UEFA Youth League and the FA Youth Cup, they have been in the final I don’t know how many times. Chelsea have got great, talented young players, but whose problem is making the last step, as it is a tough one."
Christensen claimed Gladbach's Player of the Year Award last season after playing in 34 games and helping his side to a fourth place finish, earning a place in the Champions League.
He has made only one appearance for Chelsea since joining from Brondby as a 16-year-old after attracting the interest of Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich but admitted he found life difficult at first in London.
"At first it was hard, you want to see your family and your friends who you left behind but after a while it became quite easy," He told Goal while preparing for his side's Champions League match with Young Boys.
"I was lucky I had a good house with other players and that helped me just concentrate on football and I stayed with a really nice family, they made me feel like it was my home, that helped me concentrate on football.
"I felt so good about being at Chelsea after making that move and it became so much easier. I was with Kevin Wright and Jacob Maddox and the family. It was walking distance from the training ground.
"I got my car and driving license in England but I took the train to London for fun. My family came over a lot. It meant a lot to have their support, everything fit in perfectly for me in England.
"My dad always gives me advice as he is an ex-footballer. He is my biggest supporter and biggest critic as well. He always gives advice and watches my games. As a goalkeeper, he always wanted a defender for a son to help defend his goal, that’s what he said. He always tells me stuff and I try to listen to him. I still scored past him many times when we played as a kid. [laughs]."
The Denmark internatioanl is expected to return to Chelsea next season despite interest from Gladbach to make his loan deal permanent.
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