‘Caught the eye’: Frank Lampard has already been really impressed by 19-year-old Chelsea youngster – journalist

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Journalist Simon Phillips has claimed that Frank Lampard has already been really impressed by Chelsea youngster Carney Chukwuemeka.

He told GiveMeSport that it was a surprise that the 19-year-old was not in the squad for the temporary manager’s first game in charge this season against Wolves.

It has been a real tough time for Chukwuemeka since making the high-profile move from Aston Villa last summer.

After no minutes at all under previous manager Thomas Tuchel, he was handed a selection of appearances when Graham Potter took over.

Despite impressing, it has been quite a while since any meaningful minutes went the Englishman’s way. Having no domestic cup games due to being knocked out at the first available moment by Manchester City hasn’t helped there.

Chukwuemeka impressing Lampard

However, Phillips has claimed that Chukwuemeka has already shown his class to new manager Lampard in the few days he has been at the club.

He said: “Amongst the players that have caught Lampard’s eye so far, one standout is Carney Chukwuemeka, who reportedly earns £100,000-a-week according to Spotrac, which is why I was very surprised not to see him in the squad on Saturday.

“But it’s very early days, and I do expect to see more of these types of ‘risks’ made by Lampard going forward. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also liked by Lampard and I can see him getting more minutes during the season run-in.”

With Premier League games not really holding much importance any more this season, supporters will be hopeful that a number of players who have struggled for minutes during this campaign will be offered opportunities to prove their worth to the new manager before they join.

It may also be advised for the youngster to seek a loan move elsewhere in the top flight next season to get minutes under his belt.