LAMPARD talks McEachran, the Youngsters and the money they earn.

More from Frank Lampard this morning after featuring his recent interview yesterday. With 26 players out on loan with the majority being our younger players, Lampard has given his opinion on the situation for these players at clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City.

Much is made of our Academy and U21's not being given a chance at the club and farmed out on loan. Many people criticise Chelsea with the fact that Roman Abramovich has been here ten years and we still have not had anyone come through the ranks as John Terry did all those years ago.

When asked of the situation at Chelsea, Josh McEachran and the obstacles he faces and the money the youngsters are paid, Lampard said:

“I made my West Ham debut at 17 and was a regular a year later. If I was the same age now I wouldn’t be anywhere near the Chelsea or Manchester City sides. Like the other kids I’d have had to go out on loan.

If it was my boy I’d think about sending him to Chelsea to have the best coaching from eight to 15 and, if possible, then send him to a club with less resources to try and get him in the first team at 18.

Rio Ferdinand and I were fortunate we experienced it at a young age. But the kids these days get lost.

There’s a stagnant patch where we hear of these good players of 15 and 16 and wonder where they are at 21.

(Josh McEachran) He had his moments but I still think he got a bit downbeat about it.
From being talked up he was always having to go out on loan - and where do you go from there? If the door’s shut, it can stay shut.

Then there’s the fact these young lads have to focus and keep their heads when they start to earn very good money.

They have to realise they haven’t made it just because everyone is talking about them at 18.”

Once again spot on from Lamps. I agree 100% with the idea of someone sending their kid to the club to train until the age of 15/16 here and to then send them to a club with less resources to make it. Let's be honest, unless Chelsea can unearth a wonder kid from their Academy, it's going to be very, very difficult to bring someone through to our first team. Whether that's because of the pressure of expectation at the club to finish in the top four is always up for debate.

However, I also agree that earning really good money these days could also affect the younger players and they should channel their motivation into the game and not financial gain.

Maybe one day soon things will change and we will have the first player come through the ranks but I wouldn't count on it yet!