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Chelsea youngster Kasey Palmer targets first team breakthrough

Chelsea academy star Kasey Palmer has said he will train alone this summer in a bid to ensure he is in peak condition to impress new boss Antonio Conte next month.

Palmer enjoyed a breakthrough season at youth level, scoring some spectacular goals and captaining the Chelsea under-19s to the defence of their UEFA Youth League crown.

He was rewarded by being one of five Blues youngsters selected by England under-21 manager Gareth Southgate for this summer's Toulon Tournament, which England won.

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink gave Palmer a place on the substitutes' bench for Premier League clashes against Swansea and Liverpool in the final weeks of last season, though the 19-year-old attacking midfielder is still waiting for his senior club debut.

He is determined to build on this season's progress and told the Football Association's official website: "I'm going to try and enjoy the break after a tough season and a lot of games.

"Then I'm going to do some of my own stuff [training] before I go back into Chelsea, and hopefully I'll be involved with the first team. If I'm not, I'll attack it and give 100 percent."

Palmer was called up to the Toulon Tournament squad as a late replacement for Leicester winger Demarai Gray and featured in the group stage victories over Paraguay, Guinea and Japan.

"It's a great honour for me and my family, and it was a great end to the season," he added. "I won the Youth League this season as well, so to win something with England was quality, especially on my first time with the Under-21s.

"I've felt welcome and been able to express myself because the coach has given me that freedom. It's been a good experience and the boys have been great, on and off the pitch."