It's something that @chelseayouth's first quarter loan progress report alluded to as well, but center back Michael Hector has become one of the most impressive players at Championship contenders Reading FC. Here's Reading's captain Paul McShane, who's quite familiar with loans himself having started his career in Manchester United's youth system, on Hector's early season progress.
"Michael's played the last few games now and is looking really good The more he plays, the better for him because he got loads to learn and experience will help him a lot."
"As a defender you've always got to have good communication with the back four, especially your centre-back partner. But I'm not always telling him what to do. I'll give little pointers because that helps me and it helps him. We're developing a good understanding."
-Paul McShane; source: Get Reading
With five wins in the last six, conceding just 4 times, Reading find themselves in third position in the league, just four points off the top and unbeaten Brighton & Hove Albion. The 23-year-old Chelsea loanee has started the last four straight of this streak, after initially losing his spot to the veteran Anton Ferdinand at the start of the season.
Hector's also been a regular for the Jamaican national football team, though his performances there have been a bit less stellar as of late. The Reggae Boyz opted to call up a more Americas-based squad for their friendly this week against South Korea, so Hector got to stay and train with Reading instead during the break. Probably better that way anyway.
While it remains highly doubtful that Hector will ever see any meaningful playing time with Chelsea, it's still nice to hear about him doing well. And if he continues to excel at Championship level, his next step just might be somewhere in the Premier League.