Frank Lampard’s first season at Chelsea remains a work in progress but the emergence of Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham means there are already significant positives to be drawn from the new era at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard – whose side face Sheffield United at home this weekend – promised to provide opportunities to young players when he returned to his old club this summer.
The former midfielder’s position was partly driven by the transfer embargo imposed on the club, but also a belief in the reserves of talent at in the club’s academy that have too often been overlooked by Lampard’s predecessors.
The fact that for too long John Terry was the last homegrown player to emerge through the ranks and establish himself as a first team regular was viewed of an indictment of recent Chelsea managers from Jose Mourinho through to Maurizio Sarri.
