Should Ruben Loftus-Cheek fulfil his dream of making England's World Cup squad next summer, he will owe a debt of gratitude to one of Germany's greatest players.

Having joined Chelsea's academy in 2004, Loftus-Cheek has been able to watch and learn from a lot of internationals over the years.

He cites Frank Lampard and Michael Essien among his idols, but the midfielder arguably identified with Michael Ballack most of all.

The former Germany captain joined on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in 2006, spending four impressive years at Stamford Bridge which included being part of the only Chelsea side to win the Double in 2010.

Loftus-Cheek didn't have much personal interaction with Ballack given his young age, but the use of a computer helped fill any void.

The 21-year-old explained to Standard Sport: "Ballack is a player that inspired me when I was growing up at Chelsea.

"I used to watch him playing with the likes of Lampard and Essien in midfield. I was coming through the Academy and my coaches always used to say to me 'watch the games, watch Ballack'.

"At the time they brought in a type of analysis which was quite new. It tracked players individually.

"You could go on a laptop, click on a name and watch all their plays from the game. I used to click on Ballack's name a lot.

"He was a guy that would boss the midfield. It is what my dad used to say to me as well, that I need to boss the midfield too. Ballack was a player that ran the game, while Lampard kind of worked off him.

"I took his style into the way I play, especially when I played as a No.8 all the way through the Academy and sometimes play now."

The way Loftus-Cheek tries to patrol the middle of the pitch isn't the only similarities some might find with Ballack.

Anyone that stands up close to the youngster can't help but notice his towering height and strong upper body.

"I have always been quite tall since the age of 13-14, but I wasn't powerful with big muscles," he admitted.

"I have had to develop that Ballack frame and power over a period of time. My physicality is a big part of my game. It was a strength that he used and it is something you can compare us with."

It seems appropriate then that Loftus-Cheek should receive his first call-up to the senior England squad for the friendlies against Ballack's former international side, as well as Brazil next week.

Given the way so many players have been dropping out through injury, especially midfielders, there is a good chance he will make his debut against the Germans at Wembley tomorrow night.

Match prediction

Cast your vote in our poll