Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and Glenn Hoddle have weighed in on the importance of patience for Frank Lampard and Chelsea's youngsters as the club try to blood their new generation of talent.
The Blues' boss has put his faith in youth this season with the club under a transfer embargo, which has seen the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori all-star for the first team.
All three have been a resounding success so far this term at Chelsea, with Abraham hitting seven Premier League goals in his first seven games, before adding another against Lille last night (Wednesday) in the Champions League.
Similarly, Mount has made an impression in midfield and established himself as Lampard's first-choice creative midfielder, form that has also seen him make his England debut.
Ferdinand, who was part of a talented youth crop that came through the West Ham set-up that included Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe, has explained the importance in giving his former England teammate time to get the best out of Chelsea's talented youth crop.
Speaking to BT Sport as part of their punditry team for Chelsea's 2-1 win against Lille, he said: "I think they're very good. Frank took two of them to Derby with him and he's seen them close up and then straight away he's thrust them into the spotlight in a Chelsea shirt which shows the confidence he got from their performances.
"I think Chelsea have been threatening to do this for a long time. They've had great young kids, they've won FA Youth Cup numerous times, they've fantastically well in the FA youth tournaments.
"The managers here are under pressure. They've been under pressure for a number of years. No matter what manager came in, they were told 'win at all costs'. That doesn't give time for young kids to bed bedded in. Now he's got the time."
The six-time Premier League winner then added: "The good thing for Frank is that he has that opportunity to bed these kids in and make the club believe and change their philosophy. Kids are part of our identity now for, I think for English football, for Chelsea Football Club, it brings the fans together.
"When we were at West Ham, Frank was there. He saw that me, Joe, Frank, Carrick etc, Defoe, all came through the club as one and what does Frank need right now? He needs the club to be behind him and the fans are a big part of that."
Former manager Hoddle also weighed in on the debate and whilst he is a big advocate of Lampard's philosophy, he is hoping to see more leadership from the Blues' experienced players.
He added: "The kids at Manchester United, they had good experience around them. I don't see that enough here. I think Azpilicueta has had his poorest season so far, they've lost Rudiger to injury. They are players that could help when they're at the top of their game.
"In two years time, these kids will be a hell of a team."
