Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah says the club's development path was good for him.
Chalobah believes the development pathway he has taken stands him in good stead for whatever football style he faces.
The now 22-year-old has Championship experience after loans at Ipswich and Huddersfield although those were relegation fights rather than promotions seasons. The second was successful in survival, the first not so. After that, last season, he played in France's Ligue 1 at Lorient.
"For me my loans have been successful because I got the games and the experience I needed," Chalobah told the club's website.
"When you're down there fighting relegation, people think you're not doing so well but for me, I played almost every game everywhere I have been on loan.
"With Ipswich and Huddersfield it was a big test to go from Under-23s football into Championship football. I was playing against top players but I adapted well in my two seasons in the Championship and then, for my third loan going to Lorient, I wanted to go there because it's a different country, away from the family, you have to go at it 100 per cent and you've got to learn as well.
"It's a different style of football and as soon as the opportunity came I was ready to go, because I knew what a tough league it is and if I did well, it would be a big step for me. So I went with 100 per-cent full focus."
Chalobah also explained the decision to move to France last season with Lorient.
"I always knew I could play at a high level," he says. "I had played in the Championship for two seasons and I'm thinking I need a new challenge. Obviously it is a risk going abroad. You're away from a comfortable environment. I knew I was good enough but I did have in the back of my mind that I need to make sure I do everything, I need to be focused, I need to be playing games.
"But at the same time I was very confident going there. I knew the ability I had and that is what I want to showcase. When I went over there, I adapted quickly and playing against big European clubs, Champions League clubs, and playing against PSG and winning that game, it was an unbelievable experience."
