A big positive from Frank Lampard’s appointment as Derby manager is the connections he still has back at Chelsea. This is also boosted by ex-Chelsea under 18 manager Jody Morris joining the ranks.
Here, we take a look at 5 of the best Chelsea youth team players that the pair may look to bring to Pride Park.
- Mason Mount
Mount is a 19-year-old midfielder who spent last season on loan in the Eredivisie with Vitesse, and his form in Holland showed just how good he could become. The 19-year-old scored 14 goals in 39 appearances and has trained with England’s senior side before the World Cup. Mount has been at Chelsea since he was 5, and this would prove a real coup for the Rams.
2. Callum Hudson-Odoi
The young striker made 2 appearances for Chelsea’s first team last year as his form for the under-23’s turned Antonio Conte’s head. He’s known for his electrifying pace and ability to beat a man, something that Derby severely missed last year after Johnny Russell’s departure. Just 17, he already has maturity about him and the signs are that he would be as capable of making an impact at Championship level as Tammy Abraham was when he went to Bristol City.
3. Billy Gilmour
Billy Gilmour only joined Chelsea from Glasgow Rangers in 2017 but has since made a big impression on the bosses at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder, who’s been tipped to be the next Lampard, has notably impressed during his performances for Scotland under 21’s. Earlier this week Lampard himself was seen at the Toulon tournament where Gilmour enjoyed stand out displays, could he have been keeping an eye on the youngster?
4. Tammy Abraham
Already a well-known face in the Championship, Derby would do very well to secure the services of Abraham. Although he enjoyed a frustrating second half of the season, the striker still ended up making 31 Premier League appearances last season and scoring 5 goals. This secured him his first England cap, as he got off to a flying start at the Liberty. Of course, Abraham went on loan to Bristol City in the 2016/2017 season scoring 23 goals in the process. This sort of return would be key for Derby as they’ve struggled to find an out-and-out number 9 since Chris Martin went off the boil, as they had to rely on the goals of number 10 Matej Vydra last season.
5. Izzy Brown
Another familiar name within the Premier League and Championship, Izzy Brown has spent the last two years on loan at a host of clubs. An impressive start at Rotherham led to a successful loan at Huddersfield where they secured promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. This sort of experience and youth could prove key for the Rams they look to bring down the average age of their squad. Brown may see a step down to the Championship as the next step after spending a large majority of his loan at Brighton out injured last term.
