Frank is backing his young Blues
FRANK Lampard expects more of Chelsea’s homegrown stars to commit their futures to Stamford Bridge within the coming weeks including Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount have both signed five-year contracts since Lampard arrived as the new manager, promising to open a pathway from the academy to the first team.
Hudson-Odoi, with less than a year on his current deal, has been pursued for months by Bayern Munich but Chelsea have been working hard to convince the 18-year-old striker to stay in his native London and are winning the battle.
Lampard said: ‘There are a few younger players and some have signed, and some will sign in the next month or so or in the early part of the season.
‘It is important we move forward on that and I know as a club we are doing our best to from top to bottom.
‘Mason signing is great because of the impressive loans he has had. He is part of the first-team squad. Ruben has just signed which is great and I want Callum to sign and stay here.
‘He has come through the
academy and can be a big player for Chelsea and England. We, as a club, want him to stay for sure and I think he knows he has a manager here who will want to work with him to improve.
‘That will take hard work. Nothing is given, especially when you are 18, but with all the attributes Callum has we want him to come through and be a big player for us now and in the future.’
Hudson-Odoi and LoftusCheek are both recovering from achilles injuries and are not part of Chelsea’s pre-season plans. Hudson-Odoi is aiming to return soon after the start of the season but Loftus-Cheek will be out for longer. Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham and Kasey Palmer were among 24 players who arrived in Japan yesterday for friendlies against JLeague champions Kawasaki Frontale on Friday and Barcelona next Tuesday.
Ethan Ampadu did not travel as he tried to complete a loan move.