Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has claimed that Ruben Loftus-Cheek has the ability to match Dele Alli's impact on the Premier League this season.

Alli joined Tottenham Hotspur from MK Dons in January, but did not officially link up with his new club until the summer.

The teenager's performances this season have drawn much praise and Cahill has claimed that 19-year-old Loftus-Cheek has the potential to make a similar impact.

"Ruben has had a couple of runs in the team and I think he is a top, top player. If you look at attributes, he's got all the attributes. It's just how he progresses," Cahill told reporters.

"Obviously, that's down to him getting a few chances and down to himself so it will be interesting to see how he does progress but for me, he has got everything that you need to become a top player. Dele Alli's rise has been incredibly fast and why can't [Loftus-Cheek] do it?

"I'm delighted for him. With the quality in the team and especially in his position, he's had to be patient. He's worked really hard in training, he's a great kid, he works really hard at his game and he wants to be involved, he wants to play. He's shown that patience."

Loftus-Cheek scored his first Chelsea goal in the third round of the FA Cup against Scunthorpe United at the weekend, netting his team's second in their 2-0 win.