According to Sten Christensen, Antonio Conte told Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo that his son Andreas was even better in the flesh than on television after the central defender’s first training session under the Italian this summer.

Like most Chelsea fans, head coach Conte had only been able to keep up with Christensen’s progress via video highlights while the highly-rated Dane completed his two-year loan at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Conte, who knows a good defender when he sees one, was encouraged by what he saw and Christensen has already made an even bigger impression since returning to Chelsea. But the acid test could arrive on Saturday. If, as Conte has suggested, he deputises for the suspended David Luiz against free-scoring Manchester City, Christensen will be only the fifth Chelsea academy graduate in nearly 15 years to start three or more Premier League games.

City have netted five or more goals in each of their last three Premier League games, although Sergio Aguero will miss out after being injured in a car crash.