The 19-year-old completed a move to Stamford Bridge on Monday and has been involved in first-team training this week as the Blues prepare to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup fourth round.

Yet Maresca has stressed that Amougou will not be rushed into action. The France Under-20 international will instead have the opportunity to acclimatise to a new club, country and culture.

'We didn’t sign him thinking he is going to play an important part with us [straight away],' Maresca explained at his pre-match press conference.

'The reason why is because of his age and because we need the process. We signed him because we think he’s a good player and in some moment – after a while – he can help us.'

Amougou has arrived at Chelsea with senior experience. He made 19 first-team appearances for Saint-Etienne and 17 of those came in the competitive environment of Ligue 1.

But as is the case with the fellow teenagers in the Chelsea squad – Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George and Marc Guiu – Amougou's talent and potential need to be nurtured and honed.

Maresca explained: 'Mathis is the same age as Josh, Ty and Marc; all born in 2006, just 18 or 19 years old. If they are with us at that age it is because we think they are good but can get better.

'With Mathis, it is more or less the same. We saw that he could be a good player but now he needs to arrive here, adapt, process, and then we will see.'