Ruben Loftus-Cheek will compete for place in Chelsea team next season: Jose Mourinho

Chelsea boss Jose Mouinho wants Ruben Loftus-Cheek permanently in the senior squad next season

There was high praise for Ruben Loftus-Cheek in Jose Mourinho's press conference yesterday and it was great to see. Ever since John Terry established himself in the first team from our Academy, the club has been looking for the next product to come through - it seems that is all set to be our young midfielder.

As you will understand, there are plenty of people being linked with a summer move to Stamford Bridge and that is due to intensify during the close season. One of those players, in particular, is Paul Pogba who has often been touted as someone that Chelsea have their eye on in the summer.

However, speaking yesterday Jose Mourinho revealed that he isn't thinking about Pogba or anyone else as he will move the youngster into the first team squad next season onwards.

“I don’t think about Pogba or other players. The only thing I can tell you is that you look to our midfield players and between Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic, Ramires, Ruben and John Obi Mikel we have a good group.

“And I believe a lot in Ruben and, I repeat, next season the squad will be made in a way where Ruben is not a number, where he is a player to compete for a position.

Ruben is a player that next season I expect him, not just to play a few times, but I expect him to compete for a place in the team.

“I think Ruben next season will be not just a first-team player like he is at the moment, he will be a player to play and compete for a position.”

That really is great news and it will be interesting to see how Ruben responds initially to the praise he received yesterday and next season.

You have to remember that Jose Mourinho has worked with world class players and some of the best players in the world and for him to talk as he has about the youngster - he has to have more than something about him in the manager's eyes.

Let's hope he can make the step up, develop and learn from the players and really hold his own!