Frank Lampard has reiterated that Chelsea’s youngsters can expect to be replaced if their form dips.
Fiyako Tomori, Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount were called up to the England squad this week along with Blues team-mate Ross Barkley.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, manager Lampard said Chelsea’s England contingent had “big smiles” in training – but he warned they could not afford to let their standards slip.
“It is great news for them, but it is just the start,” Lampard added.
“The minute any standards drop or complacency kicks in then they will all suffer.
“I am pleased they smile, they need to take this now, something to add to their armoury and say ‘okay I am an England player, I am in the England squad – I need to show even more, game in and game out for us’.”
Striker Abraham has been recalled to the England squad after a blistering start to the season.
“When he goes with the England squad I think he has all the attributes to go there and be successful,” Lampard said.
“It will be another step for him and I’m sure he has the attitude to take that challenge of being a goalscorer for England.
“There’s competition there. When he steps into that squad he’ll see that there are great strikers there already so it’s a good challenge for Tammy.”