Most young Irish footballers would be intimidated by the mere sight of Didier Drogba or Frank Lampard, but Republic of Ireland Under 21 star Conor Clifford has no problem ‘getting stuck in’ against them.
The 19-year-old doesn’t mind that he sticks out in Chelsea training sessions as the only Irishman among a squad comprised of world-class talent from 13 different countries.
For the Dubliner has always played with a fighting spirit and has no intention of curbing it just because he is trying to win the ball back from some of the most recognisable stars in world football.
And it is that attitude that has caught the eye of Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has told Clifford that he has big plans for him over the next couple of years as the club are set to offer him a new contract.
‘I’ve had a few chats with the manager and he is happy with the progress that I have been making. He wants to send me out on loan in January to get a taste of first-team football,’ Clifford told Sportsmail.
‘The original plan was to go out on loan at the start of this season, but Mr Ancelotti wanted me to train regularly with the first-team and keep an eye on me.
‘I know that I need to beef up with my upper body strength and that is something I’m working on. But it hasn’t been a problem training with the first-team because I’m too fast for them.
‘Last year, I broke into the reserves and captained the team to the FA Youth Cup final, where we beat Aston Villa. So things are going well for me at the club.
‘The next step is getting a new contract signed and then heading out on loan. But hopefully I can play in the Carling Cup for Chelsea as they want to use more young players this season.’
It has been a metoric rise for the Palmerstown native after originally joining the Premier League champions as a 15-year-old from Crumlin United, but his best days are still ahead of him.
Ancelotti certainly rates him very highly, as does owner Roman Abramovich, who wants to send the crafty midfielder out on loan to Dutch feeder club Vitesse Arnhem.
Clifford admits that he has no preference where he goes as long as it leads back to Chelsea, because he is desperate to become the first Irish player since Damien Duff to hold down a place in the Blues’ first-team.
‘A few clubs came in for me last season, but the manager wanted me to stick around a while longer. But he has told me that I will get a chance to go on loan in January,’ he admitted.
‘I’m not sure where yet, but the club owner [Abramovich] is eager to send a few of the lads to a club he has bought in Holland. Three of the lads are out there already.
‘It doesn’t bother me if I’m going to Holland or League One, I just want to play football. The manager wants me to play as he said that I would get a chance in the first team, which gives me great hope.’
While his club future is definitely heading in the right direction, Clifford is also making waves at international level as he is expected to win his fourth Ireland U21 cap tonight.
Having started the last three games under three different managers, he is delighted to be involved in Wim Koevermans’ squad for their final European Championship qualifier away to Turkey.
Whether it is on the Chelsea training ground or the international stage, the box-to-box midfielder is determined to make his mark as he continues his development into one of the most exciting Irish youngsters in recent years.