Frank Lampard has described Callum Hudson-Odoi as a player that Chelsea 'cherish' amid the 18-year-old signing a new contract.
The 18-year-old has agreed to a new five-year deal with the Blues, however the deal is yet to be confirmed
Negotiations with the youngster have been ongoing for many months, with Bayern Munich having made moves to get him in January and Hudson-Odoi having handed in a transfer request in the same month.
But with Lampard coming in as the new head coach and promises over more playing time have convinced him to put pen to paper on a new deal.
While Lampard has downplayed the contract agreements, he did make it clear about how keen he is for the Blues to nail down the contract.
"I think agreed would mean signed so we’re not quite there but what’s very clear is the club are working towards that," Lampard said. "Talks moved on very well in the last week or two but it’s not done yet.
"The one thing that’s clear to me is I want to keep him here. He’s a player we cherish.
"Players who come through the academy are the present and the future of the club so we’re doing everything we can to get there. I hope it’s news to be confirmed soon."
Hudson-Odoi is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon that he suffered at the end of last season, and is still expected to miss the start of the season.
But in encouraging news for the Blues, Lampard confirmed that Hudson-Odoi's progress is coming along well and that he might even be back with the first team soon
"He’s not training with us yet but the injury is coming on well," Lampard added. "Ahead of schedule I get scared of saying but from the first diagnosis he’s ahead of schedule.
"But there will be a period for Callum where his injury is fine and then he needs to get fit to play in this team because it will be demanding with the way I want to play, from front to back.
"He’s not far away and I know he’s done everything he can to be fit through the summer and the medical team have been very good. We’re getting close."
