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Frank Lampard wants young English players to experience first-team football

Frank Lampard wants to see more young English players given a chance at first-team level.

Frank Lampard has voiced his doubts over the way young English players are brought through the ranks in English football.

The Chelsea legend, 36, believes that there is a "stagnant patch" between the ages of 16 and 21 where young English players with potential seem to disappear from the scene.

"I made my West Ham debut at 17 and was a regular a year later. If I was the same age now I wouldn't be anywhere near the Chelsea or Manchester City sides," he told The Sun. "Like the other kids I'd have had to go out on loan.

"Rio Ferdinand and I were fortunate we experienced it at a young age. But the kids these days get lost. There's a stagnant patch where we hear of these good players of 15 and 16 and wonder where they are at 21.

"Then there's the fact these young lads have to focus and keep their heads when they start to earn very good money. They have to realise they haven't made it just because everyone is talking about them at 18."

Lampard, currently on loan at Manchester City from New York City FC in the MLS, retired from international football this summer.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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