Chelsea legend and current Derby manager Frank Lampard has hailed the Blues’ decision of letting on-loan duo Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori play against them in the League Cup, calling it a “classy” move.
The talented on-loan Chelsea youngsters have been regulars for the Rams in the Championship this campaign and have both recently completed the full 90 minutes of a 4-1 mauling of West Bromwich Albion away at the Hawthorns.
It is very unusual for parent clubs to allow on-loan players to line up against them but the Stamford Bridge outfit have given the go signal to Derby after Lampard contacted his former club. The Chelsea icon, who is the club’s leading goalscorer despite playing as a midfielder, has hailed the decision of the Blues.
“I am really pleased for these young Chelsea lads, who have come through the system and whose dream it is to play at Stamford Bridge,” said the Rams manager. “Probably not for Derby – that’s kind of strange for them – but at the moment they are giving us great service but we respect the fact they are Chelsea players.
“I have to completely say thank you to Chelsea because it was their call, their decision. I think they have seen the bigger picture in terms of what a great experience it will be for their players.
“I am very thankful to Chelsea – they didn’t have to do that – and I think it is a classy move from them.”
Lampard’s message came after the Blues’ statement on Monday confirming the eligibility of Mount and Tomori to compete for Derby against parent club Chelsea.
“Chelsea Football Club has today granted Derby County permission to select loanees Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori for next week’s Carabao Cup fourth-round fixture,” read a statement published on the club’s official website.
“Unlike in the Premier League, EFL Cup rules allow for clubs in the competition to make such agreements for players to appear against their parent clubs. ‘Mount and Tomori have been regulars for the Rams under Frank Lampard this season, and, after beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the previous round, we believe the experience of facing top-level opposition once more will be of benefit to their on-going development at Derby.”
