This Wednesday evening, a capacity crowd will welcome the arrival of Chelsea and Derby County onto the Stamford Bridge pitch for a Carabao Cup tie.
As we may have stated before, the tie brings Frank Lampard back to Stamford Bridge for the first time as the manager of the opposition.
But Lampard isn’t the only member of the Derby County entourage with Chelsea connections, with Lampard also having Jody Morris and Chris Jones amongst his backroom staff.
However, the Chelsea connections don’t stop there with Derby currently having two Chelsea youngsters on loan, in the shape of 19-year-old Mason Mount and 20-year-old Fikayo Tomori.
Both have excelled in the championship, with Derby County, this season and both, as part of their loan deals, have been granted permission to play against their parent club.
Lampard, talking about the youngster being given the chance to impress against the club that holds their registration, is quoted by the Sun, as having remarked:
“It’s going to be great for them.
“They should look forward to it because they’ve worked bloody hard throughout the years to try to fullfil their dream. They have been given the opportunity by Chelsea to play the game and I hope they take it.
“It’s great for Mount and Tomori to go up against Chelsea’s quality, no matter who plays for them.
“It’s part of their journey and they are doing very well for us at the moment.”
Yes, it is great for them, but could Chelsea’s generosity be their ultimate downfall in a competition they’re looking to win?
Let’s hope not!
Up the Chels!