As you may well know, Chelsea are facing a transfer ban for the upcoming 2019/2020 season. With Frank Lampard likely to takeover the helm, let us take a look at five young players that will be looking to prove themselves under the former Chelsea legend.
Mason Mount
It would be fitting to start with the player in Chelsea's Loan Army that is most often compared with Lampard himself. Mount, who has been playing at Chelsea since the tender age of six, spent the last season playing under Lampard at Derby County. He is an attacking midfielder with the ability to both create chances and score goals. He might however struggle for game time competing with both Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus Cheek who play in a similiar position to him, at least under Sarri. His relationship with Lampard may however give him an edge.
Tiémoué Bakayoko
Bakayako has impressed at AC Milan following a difficult start to the season. He struggled with Chelsea in the 2017/2018 season, showing little of the man who was the driving force behind the Monaco team that broke the lock PSG had on Ligue 1 and made it to the finals of the Champions League. A strong defensive midfielder who also has the ability to create chances from the midfield, he could add an extra dimension to Chelsea's midfield. The only question is whether he can handle the pressure in his second try with Chelsea.
Reece James
Another academy graduate, Reece James will be the player that will give Frank Lampard a selection headache. A solid right back, he has seriously impressed during his recent loan stint with Wigan Atheltic. Azpilicueta was the starting right back under Sarri, however he is also very competent playing as a center back. The Spanish international could be shifted to center back to make space for James, that would however mean dislodging either David Luiz or Rudiger who have both been very solid during the last season. Even if he does not end up being a starter, he can easily be relied on as a rotation player, since he can play as a center back and defensive midfielder as well.
Michy Batshuayi
What an interesting career Batshuayi has had so far. The Belgium international has scored in 4 of Europe's top five leagues(the Bundesliga being the exception) by the age of 25. Since signing for the Blues in the 2016/2017 signing, he has gone on loan to Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Crystal Palace. He impressed at Dortmund before getting injured, had a torrid time at Valencia only scoring a solitary goal and has done nothing to write home about at Crystal Palace. However given that Higuain is likely not going to extend his loan and Morata has publicly admitted he does not want to return to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are not exactly spoiled for choice in the striker department.
Tammy Abraham
Our final player is another Academy lad. He banged in 26 goals for Aston Villa, securing them promotion to the Premier league in the process. Given that figure and the fact that Chelsea has no established striker, I see it as very possible that he may become a starter under Lampard. At the very least he will be given the chance to prove himself worthy of being Chelsea's premier number 9. He is only 21 years of age and has plenty of time to fulfill his enormous potential. He is a modern striker, able to finish chances but also assist in the build-up play. It will be interesting to see if he is the man who can fix Chelsea's woes in the forward area of the pitch where the team has been struggling since the unfortunate departure of Diego Costa.
That wraps up the five man list. Please let me know down in the comments what you think on the five I have mentioned and also which other soldiers in the Loan Army will have a part to play in the upcoming 2019/2020 season.