Andreas Christensen is providing the inspiration for Tomas Kalas’ hopeful rise to becoming a first-teamer at Chelsea.
Christensen established himself in the Chelsea side this season after spending two years out on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Kalas, now 25, has already had seven loan spells in his entire Stamford Bridge career, with the most recent coinciding with Fulham’s promotion to the Premier League.
The centre-half hopes to return to Craven Cottage next season to use the top flight as a platform for greater things.
“Andreas Christensen made it and he played many games,” he told Goal.com. “Obviously, there were a few mistakes but he took the chance well and he deserves to be there. If he can do it, then I believe I can do it as well. I just don’t want to be too overconfident.
“I have been there on pre-seasons in the past and I don’t think that I was the worst player on the pitch. One season that I spent there I got only two games, which was not as many as I was expecting or what I was told I would get. Both games we won and we only conceded an unlucky goal against Cardiff, so it could have been two clean sheets.
“I don’t know what I could do more. If it comes, with the way they are playing, then hopefully I will fit in. On the other side, it hasn’t worked for the last eight years. Is it time to change? Maybe yes, maybe not… If we work it out with Chelsea, between me, Fulham or maybe even a different club but I can’t really say much about that right now.
“There will be talks in the next month. Hopefully, it will work in the way that I want it, Chelsea want it and maybe Fulham want it. I don’t know if it will, it is difficult to say now what is going to happen.
“If it goes the right way, it would be nice to stay with the team that’s in the Premier League. For me, it would be another step towards the highest level, because of course the Championship is not the highest level. The Premier League would be perfect, it doesn’t matter which club. If it was at Fulham, where I have spent the past two seasons, then that would be even better.
“We are going to talk about it and Fulham has to offer something if they want me. I don’t know now but I am just glad we made it. What happens next season, I don’t really know. I just don’t want to be overconfident but I can rate myself as an experienced Championship player. What’s the next step? To try it in the Premier League.
“If I am not ready now to try my best and take a punt, then I don’t think that I ever will be. I can easily say that I will try to get myself to a Premier League team, if an offer comes.”