Ruben Loftus-Cheek says he is finally coming to terms with the physicality of being a senior footballer.

The 20-year-old midfielder made three Premier League starts in April which have helped take his season appearances tally to 16 in all competitions with the Blues.

Lotus-Cheek debuted for Chelsea in the Champions League in December 2014 and admits that since then, he has come a long way to understanding the physical side of the game and how much he requires to contribute at the level necessary to play for such a club.

"The biggest lesson has been how tough it is physically at the top level," he told the Chelsea magazine.

"After not playing many games, having to then come on and impress is hard, so physically it takes its toll.

"After those 90-minute games I've had in the last month or so I'm feeling better about that aspect of it and the more games I get the better I feel physically."