Tuch of class

LAMPARD BABES ARE IN SAFE HANDS... TUCHEL WILL TEACH THEM RIGHT INSISTS RUDIGER

ANTONIO RUDIGER insists Chelsea’s classy youngsters are in safe hands with Thomas Tuchel.

Three games into his reign and the new Blues boss (right) has backed each of the young England quartet Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Reece James.

Winger Hudson-Odoi has started every match, Mount the last two, while both Abraham and James have been picked from the outset once.

Clear indications that fears were unfounded that this exciting group, who blossomed under predecessor Frank Lampard, would struggle for game time under the German.

Rudiger, ever-present for Tuchel having barely had a look-in earlier this season with Lampard, certainly is convinced nobody has anything to worry about in this respect.

After the 1-0 win at Tottenham in midweek made it seven points from a possible nine for Tuchel’s troops, the German defender declared: “Mason did well, very well – and in general all of the young players have.

“For me Mason’s head, his mentality, the way he is, he is like someone who is 28 already.

He really shows that and brings energy, always.

“Callum, also, has done very well in the last three games – and even before that.

“Under Lampard you saw he always has an impact when he came on.

“And Reece in the last two matches, he came on against

Burnley, was starting against Tottenham and was solid at the back. His crosses will come again and some more assists.

“These guys, they have to work like they did before. “If they do that, I’m sure they’ll have good chances as they’re all very good players.

“They are great talents and their mentality is very good – same goes for Tammy, let’s not forget him, as he also scores goals.

“I see no problems for any of these youngsters.

“Of course, the former coach was pushing and pushing them. But I don’t see why it shouldn’t be the same now because these guys are working so hard.”

Mount was particularly impressive at Spurs on Thursday night, with his infectious spirt and committed approach key to the Blues’ securing the London derby bragging rights over their bitter rivals.

HudsonOdoi, who almost ended up at Bayern Munich last summer, has become a real danger on the flank for the Blues. But when asked if these young Blues should now be judged ‘essential’ players at Stamford Bridge rather than ‘promising’, Rudiger suggested we still need to cut them some slack.

The ex-Roma centre-half, 27, added: “They’re important but, still, they’re young players – and youngsters make mistakes.

“Even as an older player you make mistakes. But for a younger one, you say, “OK, no problem” because they’re trying hard to show quality.

“Not only this season but, even in the last one, when it was more complicated.”

Tuchel’s famous microscopic attention to detail has got a fan in Rudiger too, ahead of the trip to Sheffield United.

Rudiger said: “It makes you perform at your very best – and I like this way.”