Michael Essien joked Frank Lampard’s young guns wouldn’t have got into the Blues side he played in.

Essien and Lampard teamed up together in the middle of Chelsea’s midfield for years – with great success.

Essien told Goal: “The young players are doing well but I don’t know if they could play in my old team!

“I am joking because I like the young players, with the likes of Mason Mount, but you need to raise your game at Chelsea constantly.”

The Ghanaian added that his old team-mate, Lampard, needs time as boss to succeed.

“He [Lampard] is Chelsea, he knows the club inside out and what needs to be done.

“He will get the help of everyone there and I think so far that he has done a good job.

“Last season was a good achievement and it isn’t an easy place to manage. The fans can demand a lot so it isn’t easy, and he is doing his best.

“Football is full of ups and downs, you have to understand that. Get behind the team instead of not being happy after every bad result.

“The job is not easy so you have to be patient and push the team, then hopefully they will do well. They have added good players so they will have to deliver as a lot is expected now.”