Frank Lampard calls on Chelsea to make more of Reece James’ talent

Academy graduate James turned in a peerless showing as Chelsea subdued Burnley 3-0 in Saturday’s Premier League clash

Frank Lampard has challenged Chelsea to capitalise on the quality of Reece James’ crossing.

Academy graduate James turned in a peerless showing as Chelsea subdued Burnley 3-0 in Saturday’s Premier League clash, with the right-back whipping a stunning cross for Tammy Abraham’s goal.

James has forced his way into Chelsea’s first-choice starting line-up this term and now boss Lampard has branded the 19-year-old as crucial to the Blues’ attacking framework.

“He’s got a great, great delivery of cross and much more than that too,” said Lampard. “He’s good on the ball and he’s physically so good as well, and he’s so young, so this is just the start for him.

“The way I want us to play, the full-backs are going to be huge for us.

“If I want to get it right then they have to join in and be an attacking threat.

“And he certainly is for us, he’s a big weapon at the minute that we have to use well.

“We have to anticipate those crosses now, because they are coming in with a lot on them, there’s a lot of juice on those crosses now.

“And we have to be ready to anticipate and get across people and make goals like we did with the Tammy one today.”

Jorginho’s coolly side-footed penalty settled obvious nerves for a Chelsea side who were searching to hit back after successive home league losses, to Bournemouth and Southampton.

Abraham then nodded home James’ superlative cross, with the ex-Wigan loan man racing down the right and whipping in an inch-perfect ball at full tilt.

Callum Hudson-Odoi completed a comfortable Chelsea win by sliding home the third, for his maiden Premier League goal.

Abraham’s 13th league goal of the term had Lampard again singing the praises of the 22-year-old number nine, with the England hitman turning in another impressive performance.

“Tammy is really relishing the number nine shirt, but on top of that I hope he’s a little upset after that because he should have had two or three goals,” said Lampard. “I know he’ll be feeling like that, but at the same time he did get his goal.

“He keeps getting in there, with his energy and personality on the pitch. He was that all-round striker.

“And the next stage is can you be more clinical, but I’m delighted with Tammy.”

PA