Frank Lampard says Callum Hudson-Odoi should ignore interest from Bayern Munich and stay at Chelsea.
Bayern are keen to snap up the 18-year-old, who has reportedly told Chelsea he wants to make the move.
His contract expires next year and he has been offered a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
But if Hudson-Odoi won’t sign it – and the signs are that he won’t – Chelsea face the prospect of having to sell him if they want to maximise his market value.
But Blues legend Lampard – Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer – believes Hudson-Odoi should look to stay now he is on the cusp of a first-team place.
Boss Maurizio Sarri declared at a press conference last week that he believes Hudson-Odoi “is ready” to be considered as a first-team player.
And Derby manager Lampard feels youngster should now look to continue to progress at the Bridge rather than leave.
“I would like to think a young English player at 18, who has his nose in the first team and has incredible talent, will stay and will push himself into the team and be a big player for Chelsea and England,” said Lampard, as reported by the Mirror.
“Being close to Chelsea, I want him to stay there. It is a great club, a fantastic club.
“He needs to stay there and work hard to get chances to play in the team. He has done that recently and he has played, and done very well in the last couple of games. Hopefully we will see more of that. I think it is a great opportunity for him to do that.
“But in terms of what Chelsea think, what Callum thinks and what the interest is from other clubs, that is for them to sort out.”