Jeremie Boga insists he is extremely happy for his ex-Chelsea teammates, who he still keeps in contact with today.

The Ivory Coast international has blossomed at Sassuolo since leaving Chelsea, who he joined as an 11-year-old in 2008.

Boga left Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2018 in order to pursue more first-team opportunities, which have been notoriously hard to attain for young players in recent years.

But a transfer ban at the start of last summer meant manager Frank Lampard could not sign any players.

Instead, Lampard put his faith in a number of Boga's former teammates in Tammy Abraham, Fiyako Tomori and Kurt Zouma, among others.

And speaking in an exclusive interview with Tribalfootball, the 22-year-old revealed he speaks with his old dressing room pals on a regular basis.

He said: "I keep in touch with many young Chelsea players Many, in fact. Kurt Zouma, Michy Batshuayi, Tammy Abraham, Fiyako Tomori, the majority of young players.

"And when I see them on the pitch, I feel very happy for them and truly proud because most of them, actually, all of them deserve to be where they are today."

Boga has established himself as a first-team regular at the Modena-based club this season.

Under Roberto Di Zerbi, the talented attacker has made 18 appearances across all competitions.

But Boga admits it was difficult for him to adjust to life away from the West London club where he forged his roots.

"Yes, it's true that during the first year after I left the club I was missing it a little, having spent 10 years there," Boga added.

"Especially given all the kicks, all my family, all the friends I had there.

"It's true that the first year was a little bit hard, but it's better now. I've managed to cope with it."