Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says Fikayo Tomori remains part of his plans despite falling out of favour this season.
Tomori turned down a loan move to West Ham United on final day of trasnfer window and has not started a Premier League game since February.
The young defender faces an uncertain future given that Chelsea’s squad contains five centre-backs.
Yet Lampard said he was happy to see Tomori stay, even though he has handed him only one substitute appearance in the league this season.
“I think there’s arguments on both sides,” Chelsea’s manager said.
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“Fikayo is our contracted player. We know that West Ham were interested. Fikayo took the decision not to go and that’s well within his rights. That had no bearing on my thoughts at all. He’s still a developing player.
“When I say developing, he’s had a great two years. He got himself in the England team, was one of the best defenders in the Championship and then played 20-plus games for Chelsea.
“It’s normal for a young player sometimes, in a squad as competitive as ours, where there are periods where you maybe aren’t playing every week.”
Lampard took Tomori on loan to Derby in the 2018-19 season and gave him plenty of opportunities last season.
“I’ve got no problem with Fikayo,” he said.
“I rely on him. That’s clear from when I took him to Derby and how I handled him last year. He’s been a fantastic player for me. He trains very well and when he gets his opportunity, like he had when he came on against Liverpool and in the Carabao Cup, it’s important he takes them.”
3 Comments
When we say play for Nigeria they will be puffing up. Playing for a country regularly can always improve your confidence and value in club. It did so much to iwobi Moses aribo and others. Now england will never use you.
if only tomori had known that west ham performance would improve… if only he had seen the way super eagles are improving and what big contribution he could add… then we will have a playing regularly at west ham and be a sure part of super eagles future along with tosin adarabioyo, chidozie awaziem and probably tourinhga
now chances of him going into oblivion keeps increasing.
regardless, I pray he gets back to his feet and starts regularly for Chelsea. even though he rejected super eagles that’s does not mean we should wish anyone bad
He should have grabbed the chance of playing for West Ham.Chelsea is highly competitive,a club with so many international defenders with lots of experience so it’s always going to be tough getting a regular shirt.
To fulfil your England ambition or rather a great international career,you need to grab another opportunity when a mid-table club come knocking,make sure you answer to your call and make hay while the sun shines.