Andreas Christensen will no doubt spend Thursday morning analysing whether he could have done more to stop Roma’s three goals, but Chelsea must put their faith in the brilliant young Dane to learn on the job.

Having conceded three goals at home to Roma, Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte may well be tempted to go back to his old heads against Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.

But this is in fact the perfect time for Conte and Chelsea to prove they are willing to invest in Christensen and show young players can be given the time and patience to flourish at Stamford Bridge.

The first goal, which deflected off him from an Aleksandar Kolarov shot, was simply unlucky for Christensen. The second, which Edin Dzeko brilliantly volleyed into the net, was a lesson in how the top strikers prey on just the smallest of errors.

Dzeko then got in between Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta to head Roma’s third, but this was by no means a night to forget for the 21-year-old.

Christensen was given a real test by Edin Dzeko credit: Getty images

Until the former Manchester City striker’s superb volley, Christensen had been on top in his battle with Dzeko and he recovered his composure superbly for the final 20 minutes.

Shortly before Dzeko’s first goal, Christensen had produced a moment of real quality to show exactly why Chelsea must tolerate the odd lapse from their rookie.

He took the ball away from Dzeko, facing his own goal, turned out of trouble and found Tiemoue Bakayoko. Conte would have been purring had he not been berating referee Damir Skomina, the fourth official and just about anyone within six yards of him about an earlier foul.

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Three years ago a certain John Terry claimed Christensen was “one of the future men” for Chelsea and it appears his time has come. He is no longer the future. He is very much the present.

Pep Guardiola sought out Christensen to whisper words of praise into his ear at the end of Manchester City’s victory at Stamford Bridge and the Spaniard would have been as surprised as the Chelsea fans to have seen the player benched for Chelsea’s next game against Crystal Palace.

But restored to the starting line-up for the visit of Roma, Christensen is becoming the advert for how Chelsea’s loan philosophy can work, having spent two years in the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach.

Christensen spent a couple of years on loan in Germany credit: AP

He earned a first-half round of applause from the Chelsea fans inside Stamford Bridge, when he got to the ball ahead of Dzeko and put the home team on the front foot.

Christensen’s ability to pass and carry the ball out of defence is a feature of his game. He is more John Stones than John Terry, but he was not afraid to bark instructions to Gary Cahill and Azpiliceuta – Chelsea’s captain and vice-captain.

As with all young players, Christensen will make the odd mistake or suffer at the hands of a more experienced striker. But Chelsea cannot allow him to join those who have grown frustrated by a lack of opportunities. If they do so, then the club’s Academy may as well be shut down.