Frank Lampard has aimed a sly dig at former Chelsea boss Mourinho and his handling of Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Romelu Lukaku, with the current Blues manager vowing to keep faith with promising youngsters.
Chelsea have, at one stage or another, had De Bruyne, Salah and Lukaku at Stamford Bridge, but seen that trio go on to become superstars outside of west London.
Frank Lampard is eager to ensure that there is no repeat of that situation during his tenure, with patience set to be shown in the group of academy graduates that form part of the club’s class of 2019-20.
Referencing those who have gone before him, the club legend said of his development plans: “If we’re not patient and we don’t stick with the players then you might be in a situation where we have been before, where top world-class players have been at Chelsea when they were 20 or 21, but the managers maybe didn’t stick with them so much then.
“I’m in a position where I’m going to stick with them.”
Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Reece James are among the youngsters to have seen regular game time this campaign, with that quartet flourishing on a Premier League stage after spending time on loan in the second tier.
Lampard added on the back of a 2-0 derby win over Spurs which saw Chelsea blend youth and experienceonce again: “I hope the win helps the whole squad, and the younger players in particular.
“Some were in the Championship last year, some are getting new tests they’ve never had before this season, but some have been here before, beaten top-six teams and won championships over the years.
“There is a little bit of a mixture, but as a group we are quite fresh and a little bit transitional this year, and hopefully it sends a little statement to ourselves.
“I don’t mind how everyone outside reacts about it, but for ourselves it should give us confidence. I wasn’t of the belief they couldn’t give a reaction. I believe in these players, and the young players.”
Mason Mount put in an eye-catching performance against Tottenham, with the talented 20-year-old helping to pull the strings as Willian bagged a match-winning brace.
“Mason Mount’s performance, not just to isolate Mason because Tammy and Tomori were fantastic, but his performance against Tottenham was a great example of why you want to stick with and have patience with these young players,” added Lampard.
“He’s a young boy, there will be moments when a game will be difficult for him, and he’ll learn in the next one and better, and there will be games like the one on Sunday where you see the player he is.”
