Replacing Ross Barkley in the midfield trio, Loftus-Cheek immediately looked at home in our new system as we ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. The 22-year-old thinks the new set-up could work to his advantage.

‘I’ve played in a few positions, mostly on the left of midfield last season,’ he says.

‘Playing in a 4-3-3 in an attacking midfield position is kind of my position really, my suited position, so hopefully I can bring my best football to the team.

‘The boys are working really hard trying to understand how the boss wants us to play, on and off the ball, and it will only get better.’

Loftus-Cheek mentions last season and during it he took significant steps in his development during the first loan spell of his career. He played 24 Premier League games for Crystal Palace and that number would have been higher if an ankle injury hadn’t kept him out at the beginning of the year. His performances for the Eagles earned him plenty of plaudits, and it is apparent that what he learned will stand him in good stead at Chelsea in the years to come.