Loan spells helped my development says Chalobah

Nathaniel Chalobah believes his time out on loan with six different clubs is helping his development and aiding his push for a first team spot under Antonio Conte.

To the delight of many Blues fans, Chalobah appears to be finally making his way into the first team under the new Chelsea boss, after loan spells with half a dozen clubs over the past four seasons.

And speaking to the club’s official website, the 21-year-old believes he has learned a lot during his time away from Chelsea.

I’ve had a lot of loans – some that were good and some that were bad – but out of all the loans I’ve had, I’ve tried to learn as much as I could from them and I think that’s helping me now.

Chelsea’s youth system of loaning a vast number of academy graduates out to respective clubs has often come under criticism.

However, Chalobah, who has been loaned out to Watford, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Reading, and Napoli, backed the policy and believes Chelsea’s loanees should always stay positive.

If you’re a youngster at Chelsea you always have to believe you are good enough, however many loans you have, because you never know what might happen. If you work hard, keep believing and at the right time you’re in the right place, you get your chance.

The 21-year-old was one of three homegrown players who came on as a substitute to finish Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday, with Ola Aina making his Premier League debut while Ruben Loftus-Cheek also featured.

And Chalobah believes Conte is doing all he can to give youth a chance at Chelsea and is determined to keep fighting for a first team spot.

I think the manager is trying to give all the young players and Academy graduates an opportunity. At the minute everybody at the club is working together and doing the best we can. I hope I get more chances. All I can do is try and do my best in training and see what happens.

The midfielder provided a superb back-heeled assist for Victor Moses’ goal in Saturday’s victory but did admit he was surprised it came off as well as it did.

I didn’t think it would come off as perfect as that, but that was the idea. I’m really happy for Victor to get the goal and for the team to get the win.