Lampard to rely on youngsters Zouma, Mount this season

Frank Lampard knows he will have to rely on youth during his first season as Chelsea manager.

But the former midfielder is excited about working with two of his young charges in particular —- Kurt Zouma and Mason Mount.

Following Chelsea’s 1-0 pre-season friendly loss to Japanese champions Kawasaki Frontale in Yokohama on Friday, Lampard praised Zouma, 24, and Mount, 20.

French defender Zouma spent last season on loan at Everton, where he impressed so much that the Merseyside club’s manager Marco Silva wants him back.

The Chelsea manager, however, wants to keep his man at Stamford Bridge.

“He is a very good defender for us. A very good person, professional and I want him here. Simple as that,” said Lampard.

“We are competitive with the centre- backs we have in the team and he had a very good season at Everton.

“I understand why they want him —– but he is a Chelsea player. I want him and I want him to be happy.”

Zouma played alongside David Luiz at centre back during the first half against Kawasaki and the Brazilian wants
to make that a permanent partnership this season.

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Chelsea is in action again on Tuesday, when they play FC Barcelona in Saitama, just north of Tokyo (Reuters/NAN)