Chelsea academy chief Neil Bath says the appointment of manager Frank Lampard has transformed the club's approach to youth development.
Bath credits Lampard with this change in approach, praising him for his philosophy of trusting young players to make an impact. They have a good relationship and two of Lampard's assistants Jody Morris and Joe Edwards worked under Bath as coaches in the Academy for a number of years.
"Frank's appointment has been absolutely fundamental in creating these current opportunities because he's a manager who is prepared to look, trust and play individuals who deserve it, regardless of age," Bath told chelseafc.com.
"It has always been about merit but Frank said from his first day in the job that he was prepared to look and the players have taken their chance, showing the right characteristics and their quality in training and matches. People have been very quick to say the transfer ban has left him with no choice but these players are in the team because they deserve to be."
