Chelsea academy chief Bath hails Tuchel and Lampard for backing Blues kids

Chelsea academy chief Neil Bath credits both manager Thomas Tuchel and predecessor Frank Lampard for their support of the club's young players.

Bath believes 2021 was full of positives and pays tribute to those across the road who have been so open with opportunities.

"Despite everything that has gone on over the last 12 months, our programme at the Academy and the interactions we have with the coaches across the youth set-up and the men's first team underline what we are all about," Bath told the club's website.

"I will always give credit and be grateful to Frank Lampard for showing tremendous bravery in trusting some of our young players at such a difficult time. The likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Reece James and Fikayo Tomori were all given opportunities, which they had earned and then took.

"Thomas Tuchel then came in and continued the progression of these young lads, allowing them to become established squad members and regulars in the team. He has talked a lot about the importance of the Academy at the club and has backed up those words with actions."

Bath also remarked: "During the transition from Frank to Thomas, it was purely merit that kept a number of the Academy players in the squad,' he added. 'Thomas picks the strongest line-up in his eyes, and we still have five Academy players on the pitch or in the squad at any given time, which is a tremendous achievement.

"Of course, some players will move on and that's just football but this generates income for the club to then invest back into the club. We can only be proud that we are continually developing players deemed good enough to play for our men's first team and elsewhere around Europe."