KING’S ROAD KIDS Lampard’s best Blue fledglings revealed
Spiky forward, signed from Ipswich Town three years ago, who was asked to lead the line in the West Country. He never gave the Pirates’ first- team central defensive pairing a minute’s rest.
Refused to be bullied and seized upon a mistake to score a brilliant opportunist goal from the tightest of angles.
Has a left foot and close control to die for. A real box of tricks. Physically, has some growing to do, but a genuine first- team prospect. Midfielder who won the Under-17 World Cup with England, nd, he is the younger brother of f former Blues’ trainee Josh.
Asked to play a holding ing role at the Memorial Stadium, m, the 19-year-old (right) kept play ticking over, with a selection tion of neat little flicks and short ort passes.
Not massively energetic etic – maybe due to having to play a disciplined role in front of his back four – and nd looked more effective late ate on when pushed further her forwards. But he was constantly shoving some of his more senior Chelsea ea colleagues around the e pitch, showing leader- ship qualities. FRANK LAMPARD’S youth policy at Chelseaea is receiving acclaim from far and wide. The Blues boss has been enthusiastically blooding thehe kids and plotting a new course for the King’sng’s Road boys.
The names of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori were, of course, knownn to the wider public due to their spells out on loan.an.
But the brave new world being chartedd by Lamps (right) meant that several others could be added to the list after he shovedd them into Carabao Cup action against
Grimsby Town in midweek.
Centre-back Marc Guehi, (19) fellow defender Ian Maatsen (17) and striker
Faustino Anjorin (17) all had a taste of thee action in the romp at Stamford Bridge.
And, even though a transfer ban – ironically, due to breaches over signing players under 18 – has forced Lampard’s hand, the scale of change has been more revolution than evolution.
With that in mind, NEIL MOXLEY went to scout out more hidden gems that may be lurking in the background, as he ran thehe rule over the Chelsea Under-21 side duringg their Football League Trophy clash with
Bristol Rovers. Pocket-rocket of a right-back, k, who loves bo bombing forward – possibly more than he l oves defending. Made Ma a mistake
early e on, but
recovered well and is brimming with confidence. Lamptey (below) pushed up the pitch, combining well on the right flank – Chelsea’s most dangerous threat all night.
Another who has been with the club since the age of seven and another England international. Over-played in the wrong areas once or twice, but caught the eye with his pace. Spotted playing grassroots in London and signed after a trial – proving Chelsea do more than ju just throw money at recruitment. M Mola impressed alongside M Mceachran. An England youth, the midfielder is tall for an 18 18- year- old, but his rangy app appearance does not disguise his ove overall ability. Happy to carry the bal ball with good decision-making, he stood up well against exp experienced opponents.
SPlayed for Chelsea youth while still at school – and it’s easy to see why. The best defenders take no risks ks and, in that regard, Simeu appeared old beyond his years.
Another scouted via trial, he is an old-fashioned centre-half – a throwback – on this display against seasoned League One opponents.
Simeu has only just signed as a pro, but, if he continues to keep it simple and adds to his first-team experience in the next two years, the sky could be the limit.