Frank Lampard warns Chelsea youngsters must prove worth for England

Promoted: (L-R) Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount have been called up to the England squad.
PA
James Olley4 October 2019

Frank Lampard today backed his Chelsea youngsters to shine for England - but warned they will “suffer” if there is any drop in standards.

England boss Gareth Southgate yesterday named Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount and Ross Barkley in his squad for this month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

Tomori was called up for the first time while Abraham has two caps to his name - both in November 2017 - but it yet to play in a competitive fixture.

Barkley is more established but Mount only made his senior international debut last month and the youngsters have all been recognised for an encouraging start to the campaign at Stamford Bridge.

They will look to continue that form in Sunday’s Premier League trip to Southampton and Lampard said: “They have big smiles on their faces today, the three of them. Ross has been there a while.

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"They are smiley and happy, but I might have to remind them that come Sunday they might have to perform for us.

“It is great news for them, but it is just the start. The minute any standards drop or complacency kicks in then they will all suffer.

"I am pleased they smile, they need to take this now, something to add to their armoury and say ‘Ok, I am an England player, I am in the England squad. I need to show even more, game in and game out for us’.”

Abraham has scored eight goals in 10 games across all competitions this season and Lampard believes the 22-year-old can cope with the additional demands of playing for England, having progressed at Chelsea following loan spells at Aston Villa, Swansea and Bristol City.

“I don’t want to put too much on his shoulders, but step by step he has shown that he can score goals in the Championship twice, now in the Premier League,” said Lampard.

England manager Gareth Southgate opted to select four Chelsea players for the game against Czech Republic. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

“The work has only begun for him because he is a young player. I want to see him continue in the same vein for Chelsea and to keep scoring goals. Naturally when he goes to the England squad he has the attributes to go there and be successful. It is another step for him but I am sure that he has the attitude to take that challenge of being a goalscorer for England.”

Tomori’s elevation came via less celebrated loan spells at Brighton, Hull City and Derby County.

“I think Mason and Tammy have taken a lot of the headlines this season, and rightly so, but Tomori, [I’m delighted for him], seeing him turn up at Derby, quite quiet,” said Lampard.

“[I could see] lots of talent in him but quite raw, having a loan at Hull that went so-so before, and then to see him play the full season last year, where I relied on him hugely.

Tomori and Abraham have held down regular spots in the Chelsea team this season. Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

“Then to come here, so people would have easily doubted if he could step up to the Premier League yet, because he is young. But what he has shown is that he has great qualities and he has shown that in the Premier League.

“Another natural progression and I am really pleased, he deserves it. He has been a dream to work with day in, day out for the last 15 months or so.”

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