Derby County head coach Frank Lampard has told the Derby Telegraph that he is really excited by the youngsters coming through.
With results in pre-season not really matter, unless you are a big believer in momentum that is, it is a perfect opportunity to test some youngsters in the first team. Not only does the manager get a closer look at players he may want to bring into the fold in the coming season but the young players can also learn something by preparing for a match with senior players who have been doing this for years.
Lampard has been doing exactly that for Derby this summer and played several youngsters in their friendly against Notts County. And this was a move that paid off as they would run out as 4-1 winners with many fans leaving the match praising the performance of Luke Thomas who scored two goals in the first half to help set up the victory.
When asked about Thomas, Lampard said: “Top players, even at a young age, have a maturity and an awareness to find the right pass and make the right decisions,”
“Luke is not a raw blank canvas, he has a brain and he can play.”
“He can find areas inside the pitch that makes him even more dangerous. With that left foot coming off the right, he is hard to mark.”
“He showed glimpses of that and we are working very hard with him.”
“He wants to learn. He is looking at the bench, he understands when you are trying to say things to him, and in training you can talk to him. Those are all the things young players need to improve.”
“Luke has got so much improvement because the raw attributes are so good. He will improve and get even better.”
