Frank Lampard insists he has no doubt Chelsea’s best youngsters can establish themselves in the first team.
A combination of a transfer ban and Lampard’s desire for the club to develop home-grown talent means young players are likely to get chances under the new boss.
Lampard is keen to give Kurt Zouma run in the side, while academy products such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount will be looking to make an impact.
So too will Christian Pulisic following his arrival at Stamford Bridge from Borussia Dortmund.
And Lampard also plans to call upon defenders Reece James, who is recovering from an ankle injury, and Fikayo Tomori.
Asked at a news conference on Friday if he believed the young players can make the step up, Lampard declared: “Yes. I know the talent they have.”
He added: “I love working with them. I love training with them. I love them as lads, because they’re very driven.
“They bring enthusiasm to training every day – and quality. It gives a great balance to our squad.
“I’ll include Tomori. I’ll include Reece James, who’s injured at the moment. I’ll include Pulisic, who we’ve brought in but is a young man still, let’s remember that.
“That youth is an important part of our squad. I’m expectant and that’s not to put too much on their shoulders. It’s just what I see every day, that they will deliver.”
Many Chelsea fans have been frustrated by the long wait for a home-grown player to follow in the footsteps of former captain John Terry and become a fixture in the first team.
Loftus-Cheek and Hudson-Odoi were finally enjoying runs in the side last season before both suffered Achilles ruptures.
Lampard, who spent 13 years as a player at Chelsea, is determined to ensure young players get chances to show what they can do.
“That door has to be open for them and they have to open that door and walk through it. Let’s see them do it,” he said.
Click here to subscribe to West London Sport’s YouTube channel
This post was last modified on 09/08/2019