Former Derby County star Shane Nicholson has insisted that it is a win-win situation for both Chelsea and the Rams if Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori play a part in the EFL Cup clash between the two clubs tonight.
The Blues have granted permission to Derby to play Mount and Tomori, both on loan from Chelsea, if they wish to during the fourth round EFL Cup tie at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard is expected to field a strong line-up as he marks his return to the club where he made his name during a 13-year-long stint that saw him win 11 trophies, including the Champions League.
The Chelsea duo have been impressive and instrumental during Derby’s progress in the Championship and the EFL Cup, with both players already scoring in the competition during the previous rounds.
Nicholson, who spent four years during the early 1990s at Pride Park, insisted that it is a win-win situation for both clubs if the players get the chance to play at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
“Certainly Frank’s got something to do with that [Chelsea allowing Mount and Tomori to play against them in the EFL Cup]”, Nicholson told Rams TV.
“Surely you know, he must have. It’s something that is very rare, you don’t see it very often at all.
“I just hope and pray that they can go there and I think as well it’s an opportunity for Chelsea to look at their two players under their own lights and see how they are getting on against top, top opposition.
“So you know, I think all-round everyone wins.
"Derby wins because we can keep momentum, we can keep the same kind of team if Frankie elects to go with them.
“But also, Chelsea can win because they can see how their players are getting on”, he explained.
Derby have not won in any of their previous eight visits to Stamford Bridge and will have to pull off a herculean task if they are to come away with something in the end.
