IF JOSH McEachran stays patient he will be able to compete with the world's top players.

So says Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas of the promising 18-year-old, who is yet to feature in Villas-Boas' plans for the club.

McEachran has been a fixture on the Chelsea bench so far this season, but is yet to see a minute of action for the first team – despite being one of Chelsea's best performers in pre-season.

Villas-Boas said: “It is normal. He has to compete with the world's best players, and eventually he will find time.

“Unfortunately for him, he hasn't found time yet. We've been deciding (to do things) differently in the game: not that he doesn't have quality, because he is of tremendous potential.

“But eventually things will happen for him because he has this kind of ability and this kind of talent.”

McEachran recently gave an interview in which he seemed downbeat at the prospect of more experienced midfielders being acquired by the club, and possibly limiting his best chance of action to a loan move.

Villas-Boas says he is working hard to ensure the youngster retains belief in his talent and opportunities.

“It is one of the challenges of managing,” said Villas-Boas. “But I wouldn't say just because of four games of getting no minutes that Josh's career won't get to the top. Because we all believe in his talent. So it will be a question of time until he finds space in the team.”

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