It's the real world at Walsall for Billy Clifford

The talented young midfielder, who made an impression as a substitute in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Port Vale in League One, hopes to figure from the beginning when the Saddlers kick off their Capital One Cup campaign at Roots Hall.

And the 21-year-old from Slough is eager to prove he can survive in the 'real world' after deciding this summer to turn his back on the trappings of Chelsea after 13 years in the Stamford Bridge set-up.

"I went back to Chelsea and decided with my family and my agent that it was time to move on," said Clifford, who ended last season on loan with Royal Antwerp in Belgium.

Easy

"I had been at Chelsea for 13 years but I'm 21 now and I needed to get out there and play some first-team football. So I took the decision to cancel my contract and look elsewhere really.

"I could have stayed there and just rested on Chelsea and stayed in that bubble, but I wanted to show managers and people who doubted me last season, who thought I was in the comfort zone, that I could get out and show I can play week-in week-out.

"The decision had be made but it was an easy decision, to be fair.

"The club is fantastic and everything you need is there but it is not the real world, so when you go down the leagues you have to step up and become an adult, if you like. I just wanted to further my career."

Having done enough during a pre-season trial to catch the eye of Saddlers boss Dean Smith, Clifford was handed an extended chance to prove his worth with a contract until January.

With Walsall player of the season Sam Mantom's season delayed by injury, Clifford is eyeing the chance to establish himself as a first-team performer.

And he is relishing the prospect of senior action.

"I'm delighted to have signed after the initial week I was here," he said.

"The manager and the boys have been fantastic and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

"It was nice to get on the pitch toward the end of the game on Saturday and get some minutes in front of the away fans. I'm just excited and looking forward to it.

"I spoke to my agent in the summer and we talked about where would benefit me in terms of style of play.

"We looked and Walsall are a team who look to get the ball down and play, they have a good manager who wants to develop players.

"From the word go it has been great, everyone has welcomed me.

"The gaffer and everyone else have been fantastic with me in terms of making sure I am alright on and off the pitch.

"That is important for me and the players have been fantastic. "

If Clifford needed persuading of the merits of moving to the Banks's Stadium, then an old friend from Stamford Bridge was on hand to reassure him.

And the Slovakian forward, who spent last season on loan at Walsall, gave Clifford final confirmation that he was heading to the right place.

"I'm very good friends with Milan and of course I asked him what the lads were like, and the town," said Clifford.

"He could not speak highly enough of the place so it was an easy decision for me, once they had decided they liked that they saw in me, to sign.

"I think Milan really likes England and he really enjoyed his time here.

"I think the fans liked him and vice versa. It was a last-minute decision for him to go to the Czech Republic this season, but you never know what the future holds."