Frank Lampard made Charlie Holland’s day as the Chelsea under-14 captain was called up to first-team action.
The youngster was pictured alongside superstars like Joao Felix, Thiago Silva and Raheem Sterling at the Blues’ Cobham training ground. Holland must have been pinching himself as he trained with £88million arrivals such as Mykhailo Mudryk.
Lampard is renowned for placing his faith in youth, having overseen Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham’s development at Chelsea. Ahead of the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest, the Blues legend rewarded the youth skipper by giving him a flavour of the first team.
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A conversation with former academy graduate Conor Gallagher while the duo were put through their paces should serve as inspiration for the prospect. Holland has impressed in the academy ranks and skippered the under-14 side to an Albert Phelan Cup victory over Fulham earlier this month.
Usually, under-18 or under-21 players may be given the chance to mix with the senior squad but never someone as young as 14. Perhaps the realisation that Chelsea have little to play for until the end of the campaign has allowed Lampard to be virtuous in training.
A first win as interim manager against Bournemouth did little to impact the table, with the Blues still languishing in 11th - 13 points behind the Europa Conference League position.
Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has a track record of bringing through young talent in his teams at Spurs and Southampton in the Premier League, is expected to become the new permanent Chelsea head coach in time for next season. The club have been in talks with Pochettino for weeks now over the vacant managerial role at Stamford Bridge and negotiations have been positive so far.
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