Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole feels that new Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has worked brilliantly even with the hindrance of the transfer ban that the Blues are facing this season. Joe Cole, who is now working with the technical side of things at the Stamford Bridge academy. Cole feels that Lampard has kickstarted a new career at Chelsea after his legendary playing career with the Blues.
The Chelsea record goalscorer was handed a three-year contract by the Blues to succeed Maurizio Sarri as their manager after the Italian left Stamford Bridge for Juventus.
Although the Chelsea faithful have welcomed Lampard with open arms for his second stint with Chelsea, this time as manager of the side, the situation at the club is something which no manager will enjoy as the club is banned for two transfer windows by FIFA. The big decision came after an investigation in which the Blues were caught guilty of signing foreign U-18 players.
However, Lampard has taken the challenge head-on and done well with the squad he has at hand. The former Chelsea man has concentrated on developing the youth academy talents by throwing them into the first team challenge this season.
Cole feels that the players also share mutual trust with Lampard and are looking up to the season and the challenges that are coming their way. He feels that Lampard could be the man to take the club forward even without signing anyone in the upcoming season.
“He has galvanised the club. No one would have asked for the club to be handed a transfer ban, but it has allowed them to take a step back. Younger players in and around the building are looking in and seeing that they are going to get an opportunity. Frank says he is going to get players in and around the squad that are ready to play in the first team”, Cole said.
Chelsea have not been great at nurturing their talents into the first team, barring a few players in recent years. However, with Lampard at the helm, it might be the start of a new era at Stamford Bridge where the Blues management show more trust in their youth academy and homegrown players.
The former Derby County man has cleared stated his stance of giving more chances to the younger players this season and though it is a risk for the Blues considering the signings made by their rivals in the Premier League, it has paid off as players like Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and even Ross Barkley have shown great growth in the pre-season and also players like Reece James and Tammy Abraham are set to play crucial roles in Lampard’s team in the upcoming season.
Jurgen Klopp on Super Cup: "Chelsea changed a lot, Hazard not there any more, Frank Lampard coming in. He did brilliant job at Derby. People say we're favourites bcos we came 2nd in the league and won CL but it's about who is more ready that day and hopefully it's us" #CFC pic.twitter.com/2ivYym5DKD
— The Blues (@TheBlues___) August 6, 2019
Cole feels Mason Mount has a great future at the club and is someone to look out for. Lampard knows the 20-year old midfielder very well as the duo were together at Derby County last season. Mount scored 11 goals for the Rams last season and that number should only get higher with the quality of players around him at Chelsea.
“Mason Mount is a top player,. He has produced the goods on loan in Holland [with Vitesse] and in England [with Derby]. Every challenge he’s had he’s met. For me that is a sign that a player is going to go places. Every time a question is asked of him, he performs. You have got to take your chance if you are a young lad. It might be five or ten minutes, that is the nature of the beast. You get the feeling that if Mason gets the nod he will produce”, Cole said.
