CESAR AZPILICUETA insists "everyone loves" new Chelsea manager Frank Lampard after the Blues legend returned to Stamford Bridge.
And the club captain reckons he and his fellow senior members of the squad will be able to help develop the academy stars coming through.
Azpilicueta, 29, was a team-mate of Lampard's for two years between the Spaniard's arrival from Marseille in 2012 and Lampard's departure in 2014.
But now he is hoping to give his best for the boss.
The defender said: "I watched some Derby games last season and obviously shared a dressing room with him so I know the way he was as a player and I could see in this week of training the way he wants us to play.
"Frank was here for a very long and successful period so he knows what it means to try to be better every day. Sometimes we lost games but we always wanted to win more and more.
"He’s the boss now and we will follow him obviously. Frank’s experience as a manager is one year in Derby but the football experience he has, playing at the highest level and working under a lot of very good managers, means we have nothing to be worried about.
He is very keen to give opportunities to the younger players. All the senior players, we are happy and we are trying to help all of them.
"He has a lot of desire and passion to be the manager of Chelsea, the club he loves and where everyone loves him."
Azpilicueta played the first half of Lampard's first match in charge, a 1-1 draw away at Bohemians in Dublin.
He was withdrawn at half-time as the boss made 11 changes at the break to give some more inexperienced players a chance.
And fans' favourite 'Dave' is keen to try and pass on some of his wisdom to the youngsters looking to make their break.
The captain added: "He is very keen to give opportunities to the younger players.
"All the senior players, we are happy and we are trying to help all of them.
“Frank knows the young players very well. His staff have been working with a lot of youngsters through the years.
"We have the best academy in England and, obviously, it is a chance for all of them to step up and to see them in the first team.”
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