Five Chelsea FC prospects who could star in 2019-20

After a bitter-sweet 2018-19 season, Chelsea weren't too sad to see UEFA Europa League-winning manager Maurizio Sarri leave the club for Turin as they now kickstart a new era. While the club comes to terms with the exit of Eden Hazard, the appointment of Petr Cech as Technical and Performance Adviser and the impending arrival of their beloved son, Frank Lampard as head coach has raised hopes of all Chelsea fans. Unlike his predecessors, Frank Lampard has minimal experience managing any top tier football club but has the required tactical nous to bank on as he returns to Stamford Bridge amidst much fanfare.

With 2019-20 already being envisioned as a season for transition, given the two-window transfer ban, Lampard would seek to create a new identity for the Blues, which has been lacking over the last couple of seasons. Despite having a world-class academy in their proximity, Chelsea have rarely turned to their academy products. Although several challenges lie ahead for 'Super' Frankie Lampard, here are five players who could benefit from his appointment and play a crucial part in the upcoming season.

#5 Fikayo Tomori

One of Derby's best performers in the 2018-19 season, Tomori was brilliant in defence with assuring performances in the league, which saw him win the Player of the Year award at Derby. His pace and passing ability make him a worthwhile player, in the mould of Antonio Rudiger with the youngster also capable of filling in as right back. Frank Lampard's system sees the central defenders sticking close to one another while creating spaces for the full-backs as they aim to build from the back, which Tomori is quite adept at doing.

While Chelsea are slated to play in as many as four different competitions this season, Chelsea fans could see a lot of Tomori as they look to blood new talent this season. With Gary Cahill leaving the club at the end of the previous season, Tomori could be promoted as a squad member for this season after a couple of loan moves out with the transfer ban in place.

#4 Tammy Abraham

Apart from Didier Drogba and Diego Costa, none of Chelsea's designated target men have done justice to their talents with the likes of Fernando Torres, Alvaro Morata and most recently Gonzalo Higuain failing to please the Chelsea faithful. In need of an expert marksman to lead the line, Tammy Abraham is one name that has repeatedly popped up, among several possible candidates.

The Chelsea Academy graduate has been loaned out on numerous occasions with Abraham revelling in most. Last season, he starred for Championship side Aston Villa with 26 goals to his name in just forty appearances. He also has ample Premier League experience with a loan stint at Swansea in the 2017-18 season with Abraham scoring five goals for the Welsh side.

With Chelsea's transfer ban set in motion and a vacancy in the attack, Tammy Abraham's ability to get behind the defenders ought to be crucial as he fights for a place in the side alongside Olivier Giroud under Lampard.

#3 Mason Mount

Not many individuals playing in the second tier of English football get an opportunity to represent their country which young centre midfielder, Mason Mount can boast of doing so. He has already been earmarked as a potential superstar at Cobham after receiving rave reviews from the all around the country. After an impressive season on loan at Derby under Frank Lampard, Mason Mount is set to return to Chelsea and play a major role considering the transfer ban upon the Blues.

Already well versed with Lampard's tactics, Mason Mount is a highly talented player, similar to his manager, with the youngster scoring 11 goals in all competitions lasts season. He is adept with the ball at his feet and has a knack of being in the right place at the right time akin to Super Frankie. Although he does face a stern test in outperforming the likes of Ruben Loftus Cheek and Ross Barkley, Mason Mount should get his fair share of game-time and propel himself into stardom for the rest of his career.

#2 Conor Gallagher

Academy Player of the Year for 2018-19, Conor Gallagher is a highly rated midfielder who already has won the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in India. Technically sound, Gallagher plays as a box to box midfielder alongside the likes of Billy Gilmour and George MacEachran for the junior Chelsea sides and is on the verge of breaking into the senior side as well.

He was even called up by Maurizio Sarri for the Europa League final with Ruben Loftus-Cheek unavailable at the time with his ability to make late runs into the box and break down opposition attacks being a trademark of his style of play.

Although Gallagher could be loaned out given the fact Mateo Kovacic is on the verge of signing for the Blues, he could benefit from Jody Morris, Frank Lampard's assistant and previously the academy coach. Among several highly-talented individuals at the club, Conor Gallagher is one footballer who should make a mark with his skill-set being highly suited to Frank Lampard's high-pressing game-play.

#1 Callum Hudson-Odoi

Regarded as one of the brightest prospects in English football at the moment, Hudson-Odoi had a great start to his Chelsea career with eye-catching performances in the Europa League last season under Sarri before enduring a season-ending injury.

Although he had to compete against the likes of Willian and Eden Hazard, the youngster was able to make a mark as he even made his England national debut whilst becoming the second youngest player after Wayne Rooney to start for England in a competitive game.

His blistering pace and ability to cut inside makes him the perfect winger in Frank Lampard's system which sees his wide men come inside and create spaces for both the full backs and the lone striker. With a keen on goal as well, Callum Hudson-Odoi is highly regarded at Bayern Munich with the London club already rejecting multiple offers for the sleek winger.

With Eden Hazard leaving Chelsea for the white and gold of Madrid, this could well be the year Callum Hudson-Odoi truly announces himself on the biggest stage and who better to mentor him than club legend Frank Lampard.

Edited by Sai Teja