Frank Lampard is reaping the benefits of Chelsea's brilliant academy.
But he almost didn't have this chance.
That's according to former Blues Technical Director, Michael Emenalo who claims a former manager tried to have the academy shut down only for owner Roman Abramovich to decide against it.
"I defended the academy when there was pressure and doubt and pessimism," he told the Telegraph. "There was a time when there was a clamour to do more and a manager came in to make a presentation to say the academy was not necessary.
"The argument was it takes too long, we don't have time, we should use it to make some money here and there, and that the owner should stop pumping money into it because it seemed like a waste.
"But that wasn't my idea and I had to fight against it.
"This is where I am very, very proud of the owner Roman Abramovich because of the trust he had in me and the willingness to listen to me and give the academy time.
"He would not abandon it.
"He believed in it and in me, and I can't thank him enough for that."
The decision to trust Emenalo's vision coupled with a transfer ban this summer has allowed the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori to flourish this season.
All three have been called into the England squad as a result of their good form of late.
In addition, there are high hopes for Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi who have both recently returned from injuries which caused them to miss the beginning of the campaign.
Lampard has also handed first-team debuts to midfielder Billy Gilmour, Marc Guehi, Ian Maatsen, and Tino Anjorin this season.
