Ruben Loftus-Cheek has hailed David Luiz's influence on the Chelsea dressing-room and believes that the centre-back is a role-model for the club's young players.

Luiz, who was out of contract this summer, recently signed a new two-year deal to prolong his second spell at Stamford Bridge.

With Chelsea captain Gary Cahill departing the Blues, Loftus-Cheek admitted he is pleased that the Brazilian chose to stay at the club because of how much the defender has helped younger stars such as himself come through the ranks.

Loftus-Cheek told Standard Sport: "Not only is [Luiz] talented, how good of a defender he is, he's a leader and he's a senior player in the squad.

"For the young talent, it's important we have a senior figure to have at least a few who have a lot of experience and knows how to deal with things.

"He's a great character in the dressing room as well. So for him to stay and be at Chelsea for two years is great for us and the club.

"David is a person who is really good with people. He's got a lot of respect for young players, he sympathises with you a lot, and he knows because he's been through it.

"He's always one to help you. Even the young players coming up from the academy to train just for a day, he'll be the one helping them and helping them settle in. He's a massive figure in the squad."