(Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has hail his young teammates and believes Chelsea could challenge for titles in the future.

Having been Chelsea’s academy poster boy in the first-team for quite some time, the 24-year-old has at present viewed some of his former academy teammates step become established Premier League stars.

The likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham and Reece James have helped Chelsea to stay in the top 4 in the Premier League under Frank Lampard it season.

The England international told Chelsea’s official website: “The young boys have done definitely well so credit to them. They’ve shown that they can play at this level and help the team win.

“The gaffer always said he would play Academy players but they have to be doing well to play.
“That’s really encouraging for the youngsters coming through the Academy in the future that they have a gaffer who’s willing to play them if they show they can play at the level.”

Loftus-Cheek also added that the team have done well regardless of not having any new signings this season.

“Considering those things and a new manager with new techniques and a modern way of playing, we’ve done really well to be where we are at the moment,” he said.

“If we can improve on what we’ve talked about as a collective then we ought to really be a team that’s in contention for titles in the future.”

(Photo by Clive Howes – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Loftus-Cheek has not made any appearances this season due to an Achilles’ injury he suffered at the end of last season and he was very close to returning before the world pandemic halted entire competitions.

“It was frustrating, but that’s life – I’ve just had to carry on keeping fit by myself,” the midfielder said.