Chelsea are back in the limelight again.

Chelsea are back in the limelight again.

How good it is to see the emergence of Chelsea's youngsters again. Having admirably beaten the once legendary Ajax of Amsterdam last night in the Johan Cruyff Arena, we were reminded of just how much progress the managerial novice Frank Lampard, with his bright and breezy team, are now making everybody sit up and take notice. The 1-0 win in the Dutch capital capped a deeply encouraging, signpost victory for an extremely young Chelsea side who are not only challenging for honours again but doing it in the right way.

But it was their very controlled performance against the once unbeatable Ajax that must have brought even greater satisfaction to all concerned at Stamford Bridge. While not quite the sprightly entertainers of Dave Sexton's 1970s boys in blue, current manager Frank Lampard is still learning his managerial apprenticeship.

 There is a feeling that Lampard's nurturing of both a hardcore of English players and his continued support of Brazilians Willian and Jorginho will offer much in the way of the attacking fluency that may have gone missing under both Antonio Conte and, last season the moody, lugubrious Maurizio Sarri who often looked as if he'd just lost a tenner. Mind you he did once work in a bank so that would have explained everything. Still, he could always have asked Ken Bates for a pound.

Back in the season's infancy the young bloods of Chelsea completely overran and outclassed a Wolves side who had surprised everybody last season with some of the most enterprising and classy football that the old gold shirts of Wolverhampton Wanderers had produced for ages. Chelsea though sliced open, cut to pieces and then scored five goals at Moulineux in a joyful 5-2 victory. Some of the locals had never seen anything like it since the halcyon days of Billy Wright, Bill Slater, Jimmy Mullen and Johnny Hancocks were in their prime. Wolves must have thought Ted Drake's Chelsea ducklings had come back from yesteryear and bitten them fiercely.

However, you were also reminded yesterday evening of the sharp downfall of Dutch football in recent years. True, Ajax did reach the Champions League semi final last season but Dutch football was achingly missing at last year's World Cup in Russia. A Netherlands team at any World Cup is rather like a slap up four course meal with an abundance of caviar. Your mind was gently transported to those marvellous days of the 1970s when Holland paraded so much that was rich and lavishly talented only to end up with the wooden spoon.

Holland had it all. There was the indisputable genius of Johan Cruyff, the equally as imposing Johan Neeskens, the hard working and tireless Wim Van Hanegem and the ferocious shooting of Ruud Krol, who once almost broke the net with a 30 yard piledriver against Italy. Even now Dino Zoff, Italy's safe as houses goalkeeper must look back on that seminal moment in his career and shudder with horror. Italy would never be the same again although Holland would proceed to reach two consecutive World Cup Finals losing both to West Germany and Argentina respectively.

Still, back in the present day, Ajax Amsterdam continue to be the foremost representatives for Dutch football. You can still, from time to time, hear the echoes of Cruyff, Robbie Rensenbrink and Neeskens because Ajax will always be searching for the lost gold that gave so much during the 1970s. Comparisons with the Ajax of old will always be odious since no one team can resemble their predecessors from another era. Somebody will have to put away the mirror.

For Chelsea though their Champions League group match against Ajax was a salutary reminder of what happens when you neglect a team for so long. The current Ajax side is hardly the worst team that will wear those famous colours but their gradual climb back to the brocaded beauty of a former era may take some time to come of age. There were flashes of the silks and satins of Cruyff and company but little to suggest that one day in the not so distant future, a Champions League trophy will be adorning their trophy cabinet.

Chelsea, for their, part had an impressive collection of young English talent such as the outstanding Callum Hudson Odoi, a player of perfect poise, balance and an insatiable appetite for goals. Then there was the recently England capped Mason Mount, a stylish, quick witted and neat midfield player who could become anything he wants to be. Tammy Abraham also figured prominently for Chelsea, making space for himself quite readily and shaping to score from all angles.

Furthermore Jorginho and Willian also brought their very own exotic Brazilian blend to the game with their vision, extra sensory perception and their steady ball control. Since when did a Brazilian ever lose that timeless aptitude for finding the right pass and the right weight of pass? Their feathery touches and natural attacking gifts have almost become second nature to them.

And yet after their shocking 4-0 capitulation to Manchester United on the opening day of the season, Chelsea remain unscathed and ready to pick up the baton again. They have made the most rapid of recoveries although the workmanlike 1-0 victory against Newcastle United last weekend wasn't quite what most Chelsea fans were expecting. Maybe they were looking for just a tad more salt and pepper from their team. Besides, Stamford Bridge always did appreciate a show stopper.