Patrick Bamford knows very well how difficult it will be to force his way into the Chelsea first team.

The 21-year old striker has been in fine form during his season-long loan with Middlesbrough which saw him named the SkyBet Championship Player of the Year on Sunday night and could culminate in his loan club clinching promotion to the Premier League.

Bamford, who has 17 league goals for Boro this term, has constantly been on loan since joining the Blues from Nottingham Forest in 2012 but is determined to make a name for himself at Stamford Bridge.

"It will be a tough task to break into the first team at Chelsea," said Bamford.

"Most strikers playing in the Premier League regularly are aged around 23 or 24.

"At a club like Chelsea they have the money to buy world class strikers like Diego Costa and there's also that pressure to win trophies, I just have to stick with it, be patient and hopefully my rewards will come.

"I want to play for Chelsea, I hope I do get that chance and I think I can compete."