Chelsea: How Lampard's trust in youth has paid off
At the start of the 2019/20 season, fans and pundits were predicting Chelsea would really struggle throughout the year.
The Transfer Ban, the loss of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid and the appointment of Frank Lampard as manager, after having only one season under his belt, suggested it would be a difficult season for The Blues.
An early thrashing at Old Trafford also suggested this, after losing 4-0 to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team on the opening day of the Premier League.
A 4-0 thrashing from Manchester United cast further doubt over Chelsea’s 19/20 campaign prospects.
However, thanks to the manager’s trust in the academy, Lampard’s side have had a rather fruitful season.
For many years at Stamford Bridge, managers have constantly changed throughout Roman Abramovich’s reign at the London club with barely any of them giving youth a chance, due to the pressure of demanding success every season.
Yet the Blues’ highest goal-scorer now turned manager has proved them wrong in showing just how good the young players at the club are.
The likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Billy Gilmour have proved to be expectational players and look to show a bright future for Chelsea.
Mason Mount (left) and Tammy Abraham (right) celebrating together after the win against Tottenham Hotspur.
What the stats say:
The stats show this promise with Abraham hitting the net thirteen times this season, with his English teammate Mount contributing to ten goals himself (6 scored, 4 assists).
Currently Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League table, three points ahead of rivals Manchester United, seven in front of Tottenham and eight ahead of Arsenal.
These three clubs had the opportunity to invest in new players over the summer window compared to The Blues, yet Lampard has managed to take his side higher up the table.
From all this, it shows what a remarkable job The Blues boss and his team have done at the West London club and look to (if the season finishes) gain a top four finish which seems a closer reality now than at the start of the season.
If the season resumes, will Chelsea secure a top four finish?
Have your say in the comments section below.
Article by: Matthew Bannister
Edited/formatted by: Samuel Slaney
Thumbnail by: Samuel Slaney
Images from: Getty Images & Footy Renders