Chelsea boss Frank Lampard on Saturday said that he has long-term plans for defender Fikayo Tomori as the Canadian turned English footballer made a loan move to AC Milan.

Even after being a part of team A of the Stamford Bridge camp since 2016, Fikayo Tomori failed to achieve stability under the the managers – Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri and Frank Lampard – passing his tenure. From getting loaned to Brighton in 2017, wearing Hull City’s jersey in 2018 to a subsequent season at Derby County, the central defender has only made 17 appearances for the side he signed up as a young footballer in 2005. It was only the 2019-20 season where Tomori seemed to have settled in the side, scoring his first goal in September 2019.

However, now with a transfer to Milan, questions have started coming at Frank Lampard, who himself is walking on thin ice with five defeats coming in the last eight Premier League games. Many Chelsea fans have expressed frustrations with Tomori’s loan, but Lampard insisted the academy graduate can still flourish in west London in the long-run.

Asked to explain to those vexed supporters why Tomori has left temporarily, Lampard said, “Because I have five centre-backs and I can’t do this job and expect to please every fan; that’s football. What players you should pick or not, whether you are searching for consistency or going on an unbeaten run there are questions. I have to pick two at a time and the numbers don’t always add up. Fikayo is a developing player, a very good player. He is going to be a top player.”

Chelsea host Luton on Sunday. Lampard is expected to play his best 11 and look for some form in the FA Cup clash. 

Lampard insisted he has a “long-term plan” to steer Tomori to his full potential in the blue of Chelsea, but until the end of the season at least, he will be sporting the red and black of Milan.

“I have seen him rise from arriving at Derby when he was quite a quiet lad to being one of the best defenders in the Championship and a Chelsea and England regular,” said Lampard.

“So I think his journey has been great.”