Stoch happy to bide his time

Blues youngster in no rush to make his debut

By Vasek Kadlec   Last updated: 6th October 2008

Chelsea v Manchester United Luiz Felipe Scolari

Scolari: Had Stoch on the bench

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Chelsea's young Slovakian midfielder Miroslav Stoch has no problems biding his time before making his first-team debut.

The 18-year-old has found himself on Luiz Felipe Scolari's bench for their recent games against CFR Cluj and Portsmouth, but has yet to make an appearance.

Stoch felt he had a chance of playing in either of the games, with Chelsea easily dispatching Pompey in the Carling Cup, while Scolari told the youngster not to fear making his debut in Romania.

When asked if he was disappointed not to make his debut, Stoch told Pravda: "No, not disappointed. Just being part of the 18-man squad is a big thing for me.

Hope

"I hoped a little that I could play for a few minutes. Maybe next time.

"Against Portsmouth in the Carling Cup we won 4-0 and the game was practically over after an hour.

"At Cluj it seemed that the coach was preparing me to come on. He told me that I should not be afraid if I get my chance to play.

"He let me warm-up for a long time and the hope that I could play seemed quite high, but the game went badly for us.

"Competition is high here and a few players would have to drop out for me to play. Ahead of me is Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou.

"To play in this team would be a life experience for me. I hope I will not be waiting too long for that."