Chelsea's new January recruit Dylan Williams has told the Blues faithful that they can expect the 'highest level' from him over the next few years as the former Derby man looks to replicate what the likes of Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher have done.
Williams, 18, has made seven appearances already in the Chelsea youth team in all competitions and has already racked up one assist as Ben Chilwell's eventual heir looks to give 'everything for the badge.'
Despite the lack of first team signings in the mid-season market, the long-term signing of the Championship prospect was certainly one that went under the radar for a player held in high regard by Wayne Rooney.
The strategy as well as filling a much needed role in the Cobham academy for the Blues was centred around the bigger picture for the future.
Suffering in their attempts to sign short-term left-back cover in January with the failure to bring back Emerson Palmieri from his complicated loan deal in Lyon, Marina Granovskaia opted against spending significant funds on the likes of Lucas Digne and Leyvin Kurzawa as it wouldn't have made much sense come the end of the season.
Kenedy's return coupled with Malang Sarr's surprise emergence at left-back has meant that someone like Williams doesn't have to be rushed into the mix and instead, he can develop in an organic way to ensure that Chelsea are sorted for the future in certain ways- just like they are with Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher with the latter expected to be part of the Blues squad next season.
"I was definitely a little nervous at first," Williams admitted when reflecting on the January switch ahead of the London derby with Spurs in the Premier League 2 fixture on Friday.
"Everyone is so down to earth and they have welcomed and made me fit right into the set-up.
"If I am honest, I did not really know what to expect coming to a big club like Chelsea so it's great to know that there are people who care so much about me on and off the pitch to ensure that I settle in as quickly as possible."
He then added: "It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for a club like Chelsea, proving myself against some of the very best young talent in the world."
When talking about what Chelsea fans expect in the long run from himself, the 18-year-old made a promise that the likes of Mount and Gallagher amongst other Cobham academy graduates have inadvertently made already with their career pathways.
"They can expect that I will work hard and give everything I can for the badge," he answered.
"I am here and I want to play at the highest level that I possibly can. This means taking each game as it comes and giving a good account of myself on each showing."
football.london understands that Williams was among a number of youth talent to have joined in with first team training ahead of their trip to Crystal Palace this weekend.
However, with the ex-Ram expected to feature heavily against Spurs for Andy Myers' side, it's unlikely that he will make the matchday squad for this specific game against the Eagles.
Chelsea may sign a new left-back in the upcoming transfer window like a Borna Sosa type of player to compete with Chilwell if Marcos Alonso was to leave in the summer, but Williams' drive and eagerness will mean that any transfers in the near future won't affect his trajectory as he looks to imprint himself over time.
