Frank Lampard says Ross Barkley and Christian Pulisic have important roles to play at Chelsea. Both have struggled for regular game time at Stamford Bridge this season but Lampard insists their chances will come.
Barkley has started four times in the Premier League this season but made a statement during the international break with two goals and an assist in England’s 6-0 win in Bulgaria earlier this week.
Lampard was delighted to see the 25-year-old put in a strong display for the Three Lions and indicated Barkley is firmly in his plans for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday. “He [Barkley] knows that it is competitive here for a place in midfield,” the Chelsea boss told the club website.
“I am delighted to see players going away internationally and doing well, particularly if they have not been playing as much as they would like to here. It gives me a good problem and I am pleased for him.”
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Pulisic joined Chelsea in a €64million deal from Borussia Dortmund in the summer in a deal that was agreed back in January.
The USA international was the only new arrival at Stamford Bridge in the previous window due to Chelsea’s transfer ban and many expected him to fill the void left by Eden Hazard after the Belgian joined Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old has started just three Premier League games so far however, and it has been suggested he is already looking to move on.
Pulisic was visibly upset when substituted while playing for his country over the international break and some suggested that show of emotion was due to being unhappy at Chelsea.
Lampard doesn’t think that is the case and he stressed he sees the “big picture” with Pulisic.
The Chelsea boss urged the former Dortmund man to “keep improving daily in training” and his chances will come.
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