Chelsea academy graduate Ruben Loftus-Cheek has given the story on how he was paired up with Blues legend Didier Drogba on his first training session with the first-team at the age of 16.
The England international has spent his entire career at Stamford Bridge coming up through the youth teams at the club.
He is yet to play a first-team game this season due to a serious Achilles injury picked up in a friendly against New-England Revolution at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
He is however close to making his comeback having been included on the bench for two of the last three Premier League games before the suspension of the league.
Loftus-Cheek made his Chelsea debut as an 18-year-old but was called up to train with the first team at 16.
“We had day release and at the end of the day we’re about to go home but we got pulled and they said ‘you two are training with the first team’ and we’re like ‘this is mad,’” he told Chelsea TV.
“Everyone paired up and then (Didier) Drogba was left and I ended up pairing with him and man to man with him. It’s like he’s got a glow around him.
“When you’re that young and looking up to these players and they're the first team players (they have) an aura about them that’s so amazing.
“Being at the academy so young is amazing. I’ve got so much memories, I’ve made so many friends there who I still talk to today. Chelsea has a big place in my heart.”
Although he is yet to play a game under the stewardship of Frank Lampard, Loftus-Cheek also spoke of the head coach’s philosophy and his excitement of returning to the pitch.
“The manager coming in he’s always said to give young players a chance if they are good enough," he added.
“It’s not like he’s just throwing academy players in left, right and centre, it’s because they’re really good players, they’re helping the team win. Honestly, I’m so excited, I can’t wait to play with them and share the pitch with them.”
