Jon Dahl Tomasson stressed the importance of Blackburn Rovers’ players being exposed to top-level opponents after losing 2-0 to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

Rovers gave a good account of themselves at Stamford Bridge, trying to match Chelsea as they pressed high up the pitch. They were brave on the ball and didn’t abandon the proactive style that Tomasson has drilled into them since arriving at the club.

Naturally, that left space for Chelsea to exploit, though both goals came from mistakes at the back. Leopold Wahlstedt will feel he could’ve done better for the first whilst Callum Brittain was punished for a loose pass by Raheem Sterling.

But if Blackburn want to create a player-trading model that develops young talent and interests Premier League clubs, they have to engrain the qualities necessary to play at the highest level, according to Tomasson.

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He spoke openly about the importance of having ‘brave’ players and how playing against such a high-level opponent can help his young team learn about the skills needed to make it at the very highest level.

“If you saw how we can play football, we have a very clear way of playing football against a good Premier League side,” Tomasson said. “We are doing a lot of good things at Rovers.

“I think we coped very well in the first half and so it was disappointing to concede a goal from that set-piece, a bit unlucky. During the second half you saw some legs were getting tired because they’re playing against very good players.

“We should be proud of this performance. There were a few moments in the first half where we could’ve done better in transition when we ran with the ball for too long or didn’t quite make the right decision.

“Every Premier League club wants good players who can play good football and defend as well. Otherwise, there’s no reason to buy my players and our boys can do both.

“I think we played around Chelsea a few times with one and two touches and excellent movement, rotations. I want brave players, I can’t use players that aren’t brave enough. They will never become better football players.

“We can take positives for the rest of the season. Cup football is so important, you have one country in the world where there is this level of tradition and that’s England, the UK.

“All the cup runs we had last year, almost in the semi-final of the FA Cup and we’ve had good runs in the Carabao Cup too. I hope we have more good runs because it creates value which we need at Rovers. With young players and so we can learn on the job.”

“Nights like this are extremely important,” he added. “Normally you don’t get matches at this level in the Championship. It’s a great league but you don’t have to make the decisions as quick. This is the highest level and the best in the world.

“I think my players have learned a lot about decision making, on and off the ball. These nights, this is why the cup is extremely important for Rovers. These nights you can learn a lot especially with a young squad.”

Adam Wharton’s performance drew praise from Chelsea fans on social media as interest continues to gather in the teenager. Wolves and Newcastle United were both linked in the summer, though no formal bid was made to the club.

Tomasson reiterated his belief that the midfielder is at a Champions League level on the ball and can reach the top if he continues to develop other qualities in his arsenal.

“Adam, on the ball, he has a Champions League level,” he said. “I have been in the Champions League as a coach and a player. I know what you need.

“He is still young so he has to develop the rest of the game. That could be defending but Adam played an excellent game.”