Jose Mourinho ‘worried’ Chelsea are not the real deal, won’t finish in top two and fears for Lampard’s kids in big games
FORMER Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is afraid Frank Lampard's young guns could be exposed as the season goes on.
Blues chief Lamps has called on his whizkids to challenge for the title after beating Crystal Palace fielding a squad with an average age of 24 years and 88 days.
That made it six league wins in a row for Chelsea, but Mourinho has urged caution as he thinks there are flaws that may be exposed.
He told Sky Sports: "In the first weekend, I was worried and I’m still worried with the big matches.
"I think he's done fantastic work, the kids coming into the team are fitting amazingly well with top class players like Willian and Kante - it’s really great work by frank.
"But they lost twice against United, they lost against Liverpool at home, they conceded four goals against Ajax. I'm very curious to see Chelsea at the next match at the Etihad.
"I want to see if they have found the balance between the great football they play and the pragmatism they must have to play against top teams.
"When they find that, I think they have a great team for the future but I don’t expect them to finish in the top two but I believe they will finish top four."
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Chelsea's next two games - away against Manchester City and Valencia - could prove telling.
But with Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic firing, and a host of other youngsters in form, there is a real feeling of optimism at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are still banned from buying players but Lampard could have even more talent at his disposal once he is allowed into the market.