Tariq Lamptey: All you need to know about the highly-rated Ghanaian teen who plays for Chelsea

Promising English-born Ghanaian teenager Tariq Lamptey enjoyed a flying start to his English Premier League start as he climbed off the bench to make a massive impact in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The lateral defender, who turned 19 in September, was introduced on the 59th minute for Fikayo Tomori and he provided a strong defensive shield as well as extra bite in attack as the Blues claimed a last-minute double from Gorginho and Tammy Abraham to clinch the win yesterday.

WHO IS TARIQ LAMPTEY

The youngster has been at Chelsea from the U8 level and has consistently featured in all their youth games notably the UEFA Youth League. Lamptey, whose Ghanaian family resides in the United Kingdom, is among the most highly rated young defenders in England and across the European continent as last season’s UEFA Youth League’s final stages gave him the platform to outdoor his quality.

He has been graduated to the Chelsea U23 squad where he has featured 10 times already this season and scored once.

Lampard called the youngster into his squad for the game at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and gave him his Premier League debut as he made impact.

WILL HE PLAY FOR GHANA?

Lamptey has already represented England at various youth levels BUT he is still eligible to play for the Ghana senior national team. Both of his parent hail from Ghana and his father particularly comes to Ghana from time to time.

However, the youngster might want to pursue a dream with England where he might be tempted to believe it is much easier for him to make a breakthrough after making his mark in the youth team. The lightening-paced wing-half could be drawing inspiration from his Chelsea team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi who has already earned an England debut. Hudson-Odoi, who was also a second-half substitute in the game, was eligible for Ghana as his grandfather is a former Hearts of Oak and Ghana national team player, but he opted to play for the Three Lions.

It is unknown whether Ghana coach James Kwasi Appiah has made attempts to establish contacts with the player and his Ghanaian parents.