Frank Lampard has challenged the youngsters at Chelsea to become men in their Champions League clash tonight.
The Blues host Bayern Munich in Europe tonight in what will be Lampard’s toughest test since arriving as manager.
The former Derby coach has relied heavily on the academy starlets at the club this season.
Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi have become key players under Lampard this season.
So far, they have performed well if inconsistently as they cling onto fourth place in the Premier League.
But tonight’s clash represents a very different challenge at Stamford Bridge.
Bayern are European heavyweights and are looking to win the competition, currently this year’s top goalscorers.
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And Lampard has urged his fledglings to take the next step in their careers.
He said: “The underdog talk, for a game like this, is better to come from the outside.
“My job is just to prepare for the game and look at the opponent, see their strengths, see our strengths and ask can we find weaknesses there?
“I understand if people do call us the underdogs because Bayern Munich are so strong.
“When you look at their team, the talent they have, the medals they have, the experience they have, maybe we don’t have that experience.
“But these things are there to change. Being the underdog, it’s there to turn it around.
“Those are the best stories in sport. I don’t get too caught up in what we think before the game. I’m focused on what it will take to try to win these two matches.”
Chelsea have history with Bayern in the Champions League, winning it in their stadium against them in 2012.
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