Tim Sherwood believes Ruben Loftus-Cheek is Chelsea's best young player, and says Frank Lampard can help Roman Abramovich fund big money signings by bringing through more academy players.
Loftus-Cheek has been sidelined for the majority of the season with an Achilles injury that he picked up in a friendly towards the end of the last campaign.
But Blues boss Lampard has shown willingness to give minutes to his younger players, with the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James and Fikayo Tomori all playing their part in Chelsea's rise to the top four places.
And former Tottenham manager Sherwood says Loftus-Cheek would have seen far more gametime had he been fully fit, as the 24-year-old is the best young player at Stamford Bridge.
"Look at the young kids that he’s blooding this year," Sherwood told DAZN. "They’re gaining experience and the value that’s been placed on that group of players [will benefit them].
"But it’s without their best one - their best kid in my opinion is Ruben Loftus-Cheek. I think he’s a Rolls-Royce of a footballer.
"They’ve hardly had him because of injuries but he’s got back in the squad now. When he’s s fully fit next season and they’re blooding a few more of the young players that they’ve got and then they’re spending money.
"Roman Abramovich has decided to spend money again. There’s no shame [for Lampard], he’s going to spend the money if it’s available.
"Frank’s saving him a lot of money with other players that he’s bringing through the academy. He can go and sign some make-the-difference players.
"They’ve already got Timo Werner, who can score some goals from the outside left position drifting in. It all looks good for Chelsea at the minute."
