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Todd Kane was just 18 when he got the call to be part of the Chelsea squad to fly to Munich for the 2012 Champions League final.

Kane could have been forgiven for thinking that wonderful early taste of glory was the first step on the path to the Blues' first team.

But four years later, Kane is one of a small army of Chelsea players out on loan - it is 31 at the last count - and has yet to make his senior debut for the club.

The former England Under-19s full-back, now 22, is on a season-long loan at NEC Nijmegen in Holland.

His performances have caught the eye of other Dutch clubs as well as sides back home, but he refuses to give up on making the grade at Stamford Bridge.

And while Chelsea’s transfer policy and loan system has attracted plenty of criticism for stockpiling talent, Kane has a very different view because he believes he is still getting a valuable football education.

(Image: Getty)

Kane, who still has another two years left on his contract, said: “I’ve been out on loan for four years and I think I’ve learnt a lot more from playing men’s football than in the under-21s league.

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“I’m near enough on the 100 mark of senior appearances. It’s been very good for me and you have to be realistic and know that only one or two will get opportunities at a big club like Chelsea.

“It’s the same at somewhere like Manchester United. Let’s be honest, Marcus Rashford got his chance at United because, to a degree, it’s fallen into place. He’s a great player but you have to get a bit of luck.

“I’ve learnt so much from being at Chelsea. From working and training with top quality players, I still speak to people from the club all the time, get advice from players, the Chelsea set-up is fantastic and I’ve definitely got no regrets.”

(Image: Liverpool FC/Getty) (Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty)

(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty)

Kane is a Blues fan born and bred, his family are Chelsea through and through and, while he did not make the bench for that European Cup triumph in 2012, the whole experience of being called up to the squad was something he will never forget.

“Being in the hotel, being part of the squad because of injuries and suspensions was something me and my family will never forget,” said Kane. “The celebrations, the open-top bus parade and the way we won it was incredible. I thought I was close to a breakthrough.”

Despite also winning the FA Youth Cup with Chelsea, that breakthrough has still yet to arrive almost four years later.

(Image: Darren Walsh/Getty)

But the only time he has really been left frustrated was under Jose Mourinho, who has come under most criticism of all the Chelsea managers for not giving youth a chance.

“I went away on a pre-season with Jose and that was a great experience,” said Kane. “But I felt he had his own ideas and my chances were very limited. That was dispiriting.

“I’ve been at the club since I was about seven or eight, and if I’d been given my opportunity and not taken it, then I’d hold up my hands and say, ‘OK, I’ll go somewhere else.’

“But I’ve had some great loan spells.

"I was at Forest. Had a great run under [then-manager] Stuart Pearce, really making progress, and then he lost his job. Dougie Freedman came in and didn’t fancy me. That’s how it works sometimes.

(Image: AFP/Getty)

“But I’m really enjoying it in Holland. I had a look round the place and loved it straight away. It’s just what I needed. I’m living in the middle of nowhere, just focused on football — training and working hard. It’s a great test.

“But I’m hoping I will get a chance under the new manager at Chelsea this summer.

"Chelsea are good for the players out on loan. The technical director, Michael Emenalo, is a clever man, stays in regular contact and gives you a lot of encouragement.

“Cesar Azpilicueta is a terrific full-back, you can learn so much from him, as I’ve also done from Paulo Ferreira in the past. But maybe there’s a second position up for grabs and I’m hoping to prove I’m ready.”

* Courtesy of New Era Global Sports Management