In an era where many Premier League players make their debut as a teen and you have 16-year-olds starring at European Championships, Dewsbury-Hall has shown the value of being patient. And never giving up.

There were ‘a lot of dark days’ but through his unrelenting determination and desire to be the best, not to mention his exceptional talent, Dewsbury-Hall has established himself as a Premier League midfielder and this week signed a five-year contract with Chelsea.

Dewsbury-Hall said: ‘I was probably the smallest lad in the age group and physically wasn’t as developed as everyone else, so it made me have to evolve my game in other ways, in terms of technically and using my brain.

‘Then as I got older, physically I matured and evolved and it got to the point where they both met and it produced the player that I am today, which is someone who can do a little bit of everything.

‘There were a lot of challenges that I had to face and a lot of dark days but also nice days, and that is part of it. I think that is why I have such a good mentality now.’

After impressing at his local club Shepshed Dynamo, Dewsbury-Hall joined Leicester City’s academy at the age of eight. Talent was never the issue.

The midfielder is one of football’s late developers. At 15, he stood at just 5ft 3in. But what he might have lacked in height, he made up for with desire and would often get in battles with the biggest opposition midfielder to prove he could hold his own.

A big growth spurt at 17 meant that by 18 he was already a regular for Leicester’s Under-23s, yet Dewsbury-Hall still had to wait until he was 21 to make his senior debut and then 23 for his first start in the Premier League.

Successful loan spells at Blackpool – which was cut short by COVID – and then Luton Town, plus a relentless off-season fitness regime, helped Dewsbury-Hall become a regular in the Foxes’ matchday squad at the beginning of the 2021/22 season.

Dewsbury-Hall would excel under our former Academy coach Brendan Rodgers and since making his maiden Premier League start in December 2021, the Nottingham-born midfielder has been a mainstay in the Leicester team.

The 25-year-old has gone on to make 179 senior appearances, including 59 in the Premier League, and has featured in the Europa League and Europa Conference League.

Last season, Dewsbury-Hall’s game reached new levels under the tutelage of our head coach Enzo Maresca. He scored 12 goals, recorded 14 assists, and secured both the Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Year awards as Leicester won the Championship to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

‘Determination and motivation – not taking no for an answer,’ Dewsbury-Hall explained have been key to his success.

‘One of the most important things as a footballer is self-belief and if you don’t have that then you are going to struggle. I have that and I believe I should be at a football club like this and that is why I am so excited to get going. 

‘A combination of all of those things put together is obviously a good thing. There are more aspects I would like to add but I am really happy, I am really motivated and determined, and I can’t wait to get going for Chelsea.’

That determination and competitiveness have always been there. 

‘Ever since I was a young kid, I have been one of the most competitive guys in the world,’ Dewsbury-Hall said. ‘I could be playing tiddlywinks and if I lost, you wouldn’t hear from me for the rest of the day. It is part of my DNA. It will never change, and it is partly what has helped me get to the level I am at now. 

‘I am always motivated and trying to do my best and trying to win. Anything else, I look at as a failure. It has stood me in good stead so far and hopefully it continues to help me and help this football club.’

That competitive streak all started down the snooker halls close to his home in Shepshed, Leicestershire, where he would play against his dad.

Dewsbury-Hall was good, very good, and it is a passion which continues to this day.

He said: ‘I have played snooker ever since I was four or five, getting taken down to the snooker club. Now I am fortunate enough to have a table in my house back home so I try to play it as much as I can.

‘I love it. It is a game where you can relax and just enjoy yourself no matter how good or bad you are.

‘I probably wasn’t good enough to go professional so I probably chose the right career in the end! But I do like it.’

Dewsbury-Hall has also been known to throw the odd 180 at the oche and don’t be surprised if you bump into him on Shaftesbury Avenue following his move south.

He said: ‘I have a lot of different things I enjoy outside of football. I am very sporty but when I completely switch off from sports, I like going to the West End to watch shows at the theatre. 

‘It is pretty cool seeing that in the flesh and it helps switch off from everything football-wise. It is good to appreciate someone else’s profession.’

It won’t be long until Blues fans will be able to appreciate Dewsbury-Hall, one of the most competitive guys in the world.