JON RUSSELL suffered the heartbreaking news he would be ditched by boyhood club Chelsea last year.
But tonight he will play in a Huddersfield side aiming to join his heroes in the Premier League.
The Terriers kick off their play-off campaign at Luton — and are potentially just three matches away from rubbing shoulders with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Midfielder Russell, 20, said: “I’ve been brought up in a Prem environment since I was six, so the target is to get back there.
“It was hard to say goodbye to everyone at Chelsea as I had made so many friends.
“But that is football — it’s all part of the journey and, although I was disappointed to leave, it was important not to lose any sleep over it.
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“It was a case of taking one step back to take two steps forward by coming to Huddersfield.
“I always had confidence in myself and wasn’t going to panic.”
Russell came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge with the likes of England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Norwich midfielder Billy Gilmour. And he models himself on Three Lions and Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
He said: “At Chelsea, you have to keep standards high.
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“I was looking up to Ruben Loftus-Cheek. I had similar injuries to him through growth spurts — he was someone I could relate to.
Russell spent last season on loan at Accrington Stanley before joining Terriers.
And he impressed so much that, since the turn of the year, he has been a regular starter for boss Carlos Corberan.
He said: “It’s crazy to think we’re potentially three games away from the Prem.”
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And facing Luton brings back happy memories of the best goal he has scored — a fine lob in last month’s 2-0 home win.
He said: “That is my favourite goal. Beating Luton means we know we can win against them — but are well aware they will be out for revenge.”
