Ryan Bertrand believes his long-term future is at Chelsea.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of rumoured interest from Liverpool, but is determined to bide his time at Stamford Bridge and compete with Ashley Cole for the left-back berth.
"I see my future being Chelsea's number one (left-back)," Bertrand told Press Association Sport at an adidas Blue Pitch event in Kuala Lumpur. "I don't concentrate on trying to dislodge him (Cole). I just focus on myself and my game and I'm sure that time will come."
Bertrand is considered a valuable squad member for the Blues and he says competition for places is part and parcel of playing for a top club.
"Being at a club like Chelsea, at the top level, that's just a way of life," he said. "Everyone's used to it by now."
But in a World Cup year, with international places to compete for, it would be understandable if able deputies like Bertrand sought a first-team place elsewhere. Bertrand, who has two England caps, clearly thinks success at Chelsea this season will bring with it numerous fixtures and opportunities for himself.
"I've just got to concentrate on my club team and get my games in there," he said. "In the back of my mind I'm aware of it (the World Cup). Hopefully I can get enough games this year and you never know."
Bertrand signed for Chelsea in July 2005 from Gillingham - at the end of Jose Mourinho's first season as boss - before penning professional terms in August 2006. Now the left-back is a fully-fledged member of the first-team squad and can experience Mourinho's methods at close quarters.
"It's definitely fulfilled the expectation," Bertrand said.
"I was fortunate to experience it slightly when I first joined the club, when I was 15. I had a small taster of it, so I kind of knew what to expect.
Source: PA
