Frank worried Blues will abandon focus on academy
Frank Lampard fears Chelsea could abandon the youth revolution that underpinned his Stamford Bridge tenure.
Lampard was sacked by Chelsea on Monday, with the Blues languishing ninth in the Premier League table after five defeats in their last eight league matches.
Thomas Tuchel is set to be named as Lampard’s replacement, with the German manager challenged to steer Chelsea straight back into the top four. Lampard is understood to fear that the Blues could now plot a course back towards focusing on high-profile recruits, at the expense of homegrown talent.
Former Paris St Germain boss Tuchel has never shied away from disagreement with players or club boards, and that head strong approach could jar with the Blues’ demanding hierarchy. Tuchel is well-versed managing big egos and bigger stars though, and is expected to call upon Chelsea to back him with frontline signing sin the long-run for his reign to be a success.
Former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard had little choice but to trust in youth in his first season in charge, with the club under a transfer embargo.
The 42-year-old ushered academy graduates Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Fikayo Tomori and more into Chelsea’ s senior ranks last season.
But after £220million of investment in the summer, Lamp ards till stuck with many of his trusted young academy graduates.
Lampard’s last telling act as Chelsea boss was to hand Mount the Blues captaincy for the first time for Sunday’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Luton.
With the writing already on the wall for his exit, Lamp a rd handing Mount the arm band proved as much a thank youforthe22-year-old’sunwavering performances as it was a pointed message to Chelsea’ s board.
By branding Mount as captaincy materialat just 22, Lamp a rd was hoping to extend the legacy of his youth revolution long beyond his own west London tenure.
There was even less ambiguity in Lampard’s leaving statement released through the League Managers’ Association. “They are the future of this club,” said Lampard.
Lampard is understood to remain convinced in the genuine quality of the academy stars he blooded at the Blues, but is concerned Roman A bra mo vich’ s ruthlessness, coupled with Tuchel’s overhaul, could hinder their progress.