Chelsea management feel fullback Ryan Bertrand is Premier League class.

Bertrand has been forced to play a waiting game at Chelsea as he acts as understudy to Ashley Cole.

"In the Premier League there aren't too many teenagers who go straight into a team and stay there for the rest of their career," Chelsea assistant coach Steve Holland told the club's website. "Add to that that Chelsea is a top four, Champions League club, it makes it more of a challenge and the route Ryan has been down has been a well-trodden one.

"He's had progressive loan experiences and gone from League One into the Championship. Add to that his international experience, he was an integral member of England Under 21s in the summer's European Championship, and his CV has been improving all the time.

"Ryan did well when he played against Fulham in the previous round of the Carling Cup, and he can be pleased with that performance. He's heading in the right direction and is developing well. He really wants to be challenging every week and getting regular games in the Premiership. In my opinion he can do that and that is the next challenge for him.

"Breaking into Chelsea's team is a bit more difficult considering we have probably the best left-back in the world in our team, who doesn't miss many games. But, he has been retained in the squad this season because the manager wanted cover for Ashley, and he has repaid that trust. I am quite sure whether it's in Chelsea's team or in another Premiership team this is a level he is capable of playing at."