Frank Lampard has revealed he plans to continue using Christian Pulisic sparingly for Chelsea as he still feels he has a lot to learn. The Blues spent big to conclude a deal for the USA International in January, agreeing to pay Borussia Dortmund £58million for a player quickly dubbed as Eden Hazard’s replacement on his arrival in the summer.
Hazard’s move to Real Madrid during the off-season looked as though it had opened up a spot in the first team for the 21-year-old, but starts have been harder to come by than expected.
Pulisic has made four starts but was an unused substitute for the encounters with Wolves, Valencia and Liverpool before being drafted back into Lampard’s XI for the 7-1 EFL Cup win over Grimsby.
Willian has got the nod ahead of the American recently and could keep his place in the starting line-up when Brighton visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday. With Mason Mount having also impressed in a role just behind striker Tammy Abraham, Pulisic is likely to be on the bench again this weekend.
Pulisic’s chances have suffered another blow this week with the return to action of Callum Hudson-Odoi, who scored against Grimsby in his comeback from a lengthy lay-off due to an Achilles injury.
Hudson-Odoi had been a regular in the Chelsea side under Maurizio Sarri before his injury and is expected to play a big role on his return to full fitness, with Lampard keen to utilise the young talent at the club.
Lampard has now warned Pulisic he will need to be more consistent if he wants to reclaim his place in the Blues side, and feels that might take some time given his age and move to a new country this summer.
On Pulisic, he said: “I have four wingers to chose from now they are all fit. Pulisic we forget is 21 because of the price-tag. “It is normal to have an adaptation period. He has shown some good moments this season and in pre-season, but he must do it daily. He needs time to adapt, but we support him on that. His time will come.”
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