Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has backed both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi to make the grade at the Blues.

The pair have had to be patient under manager Maurizio Sarri this season with Hudson-Odoi, in particular, said to be keen to move in order to increase his game time.

However, Lampard wants them to stick it out at Chelsea and see if they can make the breakthrough:

“He [Loftus-Cheek] and Callum (Hudson-Odoi) will look at the likes of Jadon Sancho who has gone out of their comfort zone, which I completely respect as well and have done well.”

“But at Chelsea, you’ve got a little bunch of players who can try and get the minutes in the first-team.”

“They are the next generation. Chelsea have invested heavily in the academy and I’m sure they are going to want to see the fruits of that.”

With Chelsea’s transfer ban, the club may be forced to rely more on youth than they have done in the past. One major problem, though, is Hudson-Odoi’s contract situation.

The 18-year-old’s current deal expires in 2020, and with no sign of the player being willing to sign an extension, the winger may be on his way in the summer unless he is given more starts.

Hudson-Odoi has made 22 appearances under Sarri this campaign, but he has yet to be given a start in the Premier League by the Italian.