Lampard proud, pleased, and wants ‘a lot more’ from Mount and Abraham

Frank Lampard’s intention was never to start a “youth revolution” just because he could. Instead, he believed that offering Chelsea Academy talents a chance to impress — chances that have been largely lacking for their predecessors over the past couple decades — would be the best course forward for the club, both in the short-term and especially in the long-term.

So far, the early returns have been mixed, but on an individual level, both Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham have impressed. Mount even got to make his England debut during the international break, and collect his second cap as well. Lampard, as the paterfamilias, was understandably quite proud.

“I was really proud [of Mount]. The work that he has put in since he was a young boy, we have all seen the photos as a youngster in a Chelsea kit, and his dream has come true on two levels, making his full debut for us and playing for England now.”

Lampard is no stranger to such scenarios, finishing his career with 106 appearances for England national team while proving himself to all the doubters at club level as well. So he knows that consistent success doesn’t come without hard work and constant improvement, and that’s exactly what he’s expecting from the youngsters as well.

“Now I would say the hard work begins. This is where the scrutiny ramps up. I thought he did well in both games, the minutes that he played. He looked bright and the way that we expect Mason to be, now he needs to go up the gears and continue his progression, because I think there is a lot more.”

It’s the same story with Tammy Abraham, who may not have gotten the England call, but is leading the goalscoring charts at the club with four goals in the first four Premier League games of the season, including back-to-back braces against Norwich City and Sheffield United.

But as pleasing as that may be, opponents will come tougher than the recently promoted duo, and there are two other strikers at the club who desperately want minutes. Tammy will have be on his toes and continue to prove himself, just as it should be expected of any player at any top level club.

“It has been very good. I am delighted for Tammy and his goals in the last two games. I keep saying it, but his attitude and enthusiasm to train and improve is always there daily. Hence the goals, I think those things come hand-in-hand.

“As I said about Mason before, I want more, he wants more and they want more. It will have to continue because there’s competition. Giroud and Batshuayi all want that spot or those spots up front. They all need to be on their toes.”

-Frank Lampard; source: Football.London

With the fixtures and the pressure set to pile on, both youngsters will have to step up their games in order to keep their places and keep Chelsea in contention for trophies.