Chelsea ace Tomori has been Lampard’s star performer with the Blues has choice of three countries to represent including England

COLLOSSUS Fikayo Tomori has shone for Chelsea’s kids so far this season, becoming an instant favourite with Blues fans.

The centre-back, who starred for Frank Lampard’s Derby team last season and finished his loan campaign as a surprise player of the year at Pride Park, scored a screamer in a 5-2 rout of Wolves.

And he’s coupled that effort with some astute defending against the Premier League’s finest.

In fact, Lampard was quick to single out the Canadian-born star’s performance against Liverpool.

The 6ft 1in centre back was tasked with marking Egyptian hotshot Mo Salah, and his manager couldn’t have been more pleased with his application.

“I have to single out Tomori as well, to go up against Salah. Everything he did today was class,” Lampard said and he wasn’t wrong.

BLUES BATTLE

Tomori spent six months with Brighton, a season at Hull, before his breakthrough campaign with the Rams last year.

And now, 12 years after joining Chelsea as a seven-year-old, Tomori knows that he must make his mark.

“There are players out on loan like Kurt Zouma, Jake Clarke-Salter as well, Kalas, so many great players in my position and everyone is vying for that same spot,” he told in May.

“Whatever the circumstances, it’s going to be difficult but you just have to try and do your best to make an impression.”

That former academy boss Jody Morris is alongside Lampard at the helm will also help Tomori, who featured in several preseason games before his Premier League bow this term.

“You can see the way [Lampard’s] mind works, the way he thinks about the game and that he has played at a really high level,” he said.

“And because the manager and Jody played at such a high level, they have high standards for themselves and high standards for the team, as do we, and I think that comes through on the pitch.”

Where Tomori is in control of his future is on the international stage. There is currently a three-way tussle for the youngster.

He was born in Calgary to Nigerian parents but moved to the UK at an early age.

WANTED MAN

Canada were the first team to pounce.

He captained the Under-20 team at the age of 18, once leading Canada to victory over an England team that included Marcus Rashford and Harry Winks in 2016.

But later that year, he made his first appearance for an England youth team, representing the U19s.

In 2017, Tomori was part of the Three Lions U20 squad that won the World Cup in South Korea.

He was at the heart of the defence, alongside Chelsea team-mate Clarke-Salter, when Paul Simpson’s Young Lions beat Venezuela and lifted the World Cup.

But Tomori is yet to commit himself to one nation.

“Canada gave me that platform to showcase myself, but just before the Euros I got called up by England,” he said last year.

“Growing up in England and playing for Chelsea, I wanted to play for England.

“It was a difficult decision, and I took a lot of time debating it, but after that we won the World Cup so I think it was a good decision.”

Nigeria, who finished third at the Africa Cup of Nations, have not yet given up on convincing Tomori to soar with the Super Eagles.

On the international stage, the fight for Tomori’s services continue.

But, for now, it’s all about finally breaking through as a blue. With Lampard and Morris already on side, there’s never been a better opportunity.