Chelsea will return to the summit of the Premier League within the next three years, according to former Blues hitman Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink.
The west Londoners haven’t won the Premier League title since lifting the trophy at the end of the 2016-17 season.
The Blues’ chances of winning the league this season have been greatly hampered by the two-window transfer ban imposed on them by FIFA for breaking rules over the signing of foreign players under the age of 18.
Lampard has been hamstrung by the club’s inability to bring in new faces, though he has been able to blood the likes of Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount into the starting XI.
Hasslebaink is happy to see Lampard fielding so many youngsters and believes his decision to blood them into the squad will pay dividends within the next three years.
“It’s magnificent to see,” the Dutchman said of Chelsea’s youngsters receiving international call-ups during an interview with Sky Sports. “For Chelsea, especially, their identity has not been like that in the past but if they can keep this group together and they have got Callum [Hudson-Odoi] as well [as Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount], Ruben [Loftus-Cheek], Reece James.
“If they can keep those boys together I think in two or three years Chelsea can really dominate the Premier League, obviously with additions to the squad.
“It is nice to see, also for the Chelsea fans. I do think that the Chelsea fans should be patient because if you want to see young players you are not going to win trophies or compete for the Premier League [straight away].
“If Chelsea can still keep themselves in Europe, hopefully in the Champions League, with these players and let them get the experience then the future is going to be very bright for Chelsea.”
Abraham and Mount have grabbed their opportunities for an extended run in the first team with both hands, scoring a total of 11 goals between them.
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul has been impressed by the pair’s performances so far this campaign and believes Lampard deserves credit for giving the chance to shine.
“It’s all about getting a break,” Merson told Sky Sports. “When you look at Phil Foden at Man City, he’s a phenomenal footballer, but he never looks like getting a game. You need a break.
“Would Abraham be scoring all these goals if there wasn’t a transfer embargo and Frank Lampard wasn’t at Chelsea? Absolutely no chance. He and Mount would’ve been out on loan somewhere else. So you’ve got to give massive credit to Lampard.
“They have the embargo, but he could still have played more experienced players. He’s got a World Cup winner on the bench.
“This is a big job for Lampard, but he’s believed in these kids. If it goes wrong, there’s only one man getting the sack, and that’s Frank.
“Mount and Abraham have been their best two players this season, and Abraham’s goals have been good.”