Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino gives youngsters like Alfie Gilchrist belief.

That is the view of the young Blues defender, who has stepped up to first team level.

The 20-year-old impressed in a 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Premier League on Thursday.

He stated post-game: “I sat up in the East Stand upper. I wanted to be down here playing whenever I was up there.

“That's what I am doing now. If you told me this would happen before the season, I probably wouldn't have believed you, but it is a dream come true.

“I hope to keep ticking off these achievements. I feel I have taken my chance tonight. These games will only help me and I will keep improving when I keep testing myself against the best players. My family say keep going and believe in your ability."

"He has given me a lot of confidence and got me to keep believing and do my thing and play my football for Chelsea," Gilchrist added.

"He keeps us calm and tells us what to do. We are all still learning, and the support is brilliant.

"I feel like [he believed in me] after I came on after my debut at Palace. He started pushing me even more. I got my first start and built a good relationship with him from there."