Frank Lampard defended his decision to bring on 18-year-old Billy Gilmour as Chelsea failed to see the game out against Sheffield United.
Chelsea were 2-1 up at the time when Lampard opted to bring on Gilmour for his senior debut and Michy Batshuayi with eight minutes remaining. However, the Blades finished strongly at Stamford Bridge and scored a late equaliser to leave Lampard with two draws from his first two home games in charge.
Gilmour - a Scotland U21 international signed from Rangers in 2017 - was an unused substitute in the Super Cup Final defeat to Liverpool earlier this month.
Despite Gilmour's inexperience and the game still being in the balance, Lampard hit back at questions that deemed the decision a "bold" one, highlighting the 18-year-old is part of the first-team squad due to a lack of other options.
"It wasn't a bold substitution because it was one for one in the same position," he said.
"Kovacic was on his haunches and was tired and Billy Gilmour is a midfield player. And Michy [Batshuayi] was to try and bring some energy for Tammy Abraham who was our best player. People can say what they want but I wasn't trying to be clever at 2-1, I was trying to see the game out.
"I've got faith in Billy - he's going to have a big future. But we've got an injury to N'Golo Kante in midfield who is a fantastic player for us, so Billy is on the bench. We have a ban, so the squad is what the squad is."
Chelsea have now conceded 10 Premier League goals in Lampard's four games in charge and defensively they seemed very edgy at times when Sheffield United had dominant periods of the game.
The Chelsea boss admitted his team need to sharpen up but refused to blame individuals.
"It's not just the defence - we concede as a team," he said.
"The lack of concentration and defensive mistakes are moments that you defend as a team. We conceded because we switched off in a game we should be comfortably seeing out. That's not disrespectful to Sheffield United as at 2-0 up that's not the end of the story. I was clear with the players at half-time.
"We only have ourselves to look at as a group, not individually."
Callum Robinson's first goal for the Blades 48 seconds after the restart gave Chris Wilder's men the impetus and Kurt Zouma's own goal, when he turned in Robinson's inviting cross, earned the Blades a deserved point.
Wilder said: "We had to play well here, we can't give ourselves a mountain to climb, which we obviously did.
"To come roaring back as we did in the second half hopefully gives us an enormous amount of confidence and self-belief going forward.
"I don't want us to stand off teams, we obviously understand the teams we are up against and the journey we have been on.
"Three years ago we were bottom of League One and now we are going toe-to-toe in the Premier League. It's not a cup tie, we are here on merit.
"From a biased point of view, I believe we deserved something from our second-half performance."
Kitdeip
75
i don't mind billy Gilmour but willian was disappointing. instead of number 10 lamp should give him 65 or something above🙄
Tacceiknrs
58
Frank Lampard continues to experiment with ChelseaFc as if he’s still in the preseason mood and if he continues to make these silly rookies mistake he’ll not last long at Stamford Bridge as a manger . Frank Lampard single handed loose this game today . The fact ChelseaFc have to bench # 15 Kurt Zouma and #28 Azpilicueta out of there first team line up ! Both defender are trash bin . 🗑
Nesaiknruy_Legend
56
I actually dont think the Gilmour sub was that bad, he came on and filled Kovacic role decent for the little time he was on. If anything, I think 1 of the other substitutions could have been used better as Willian was awful and Michy didnt do much in comparison to Tammy who had momentum his way...I'd have brought in Christensen for Azpi and shifted Tomori right back cos it was blatantly obvious to anyone who analyses football properly that we have been getting exposed down the right side of our defence over 5 games, not just this one...
Omar7kh
54
he never blaming himself if he continue like this next tow match then he must be ready for fans and posters in bridge Lampart OUT, Giroud shoild come in second half earlier not batshuay, barkley no tactic awarness spoiled many chances in first half, azpi is shitt need James badly to replace him, Pulisic need time to adapt in team, need Callum and pedro to be fit, Rudigar really need to that deffence, next tow matches are not easy against wolves and Liverpool, this tow match will decide Lampard future, and also very important game in Champions league against Valencia which is massive one for team and confidence of players, Lamparf must learn from his mistakes, need better team and better spirit after International break.
rota2903
51
Billy Gilmour was good when he came on. Our problem was concentration in defence. Azpilicueta defending that lead to the own goal was the problem. It was unfortunate that Zouma had the own goal but the ball hit his shin. Even experience defenders couldn't do anything about it. Look at the Juve vs Napoli game. Even Coulibaly made an unfortunate mistake. The season is still in it's infancy. I believe my Chelsea would progress and be a force to reckoned with comes the end of the season.
tocacdety
51
This is a silly excuse from Lampard, Chelsea had the opportunity of overtaken Man United and close the gap at the top but Lampard choose to gamble instead. if Chelsea were 3 goals to 1 it should have been OK bringing in Billy. We had Andreas Christensen on the bench, he should have done better by helping to protect the one goal advantage. It's a big blunder by Lampard
dennisachafu
48
I thought Lampard has learnt from all the managers he worked with while he was a player but I have come to agree that he lacks great experience as a coach. This is a matter of fact and not sentiment. He talks about ban, Chelsea doesn't need any new signing to manage the game at 2-0. You know a good coach when it comes to substitutions. I expected Lampard to bring in defenders at that crucial moment not an 18 year old that can be bullied when the opponent is desperate. Christensen and Alonso were on the bench. Zouma scored the own goal because doesn't have a sense of depending. Everybody was attacking instead of trying to guide the goal they have thereby leaving pressure at the back. There is no central defender that can excel under this vulnerable system.
Pemanprstu
48
i still believe it was a wrong call to bring Gilmour in at a time sheffied was having upper hand.Kovacic might truly be tired but the experience he have would have been considered compared to the youngster.Another defender might have been the best decision
luhacenz
45
Lampard as our new Chelsea team are inexperienced!!! And all true Chelsea Fans will give Lamps time!!! It harts! It feels like a defeat but Look elsewhere? Tottenham lost at home against Newcastle! We should have won but hopefully for lamps it would be a lesson! This season is a pre-season for the next one! Everything is good except defense
Wabcdesuy
36
There are many problems, we were good with the ball, but without ball play.. We were nothing, its early, but still Im unable to understand the system and intent of our style, our captain Azpilicueta is consistently terrible now, he now dont have the pace and stamina to compete at EPL. Pedro normally brings the pace in our game, it was not there. Lampard still havent developed the skill of 'reading a match'.. It will take time but that will cost us 1-2 season
Kuoaknpryz
33
is like Lampard came to build England squad at Chelsea, am not sure if he's is ready to offer anything than to build squad for England, because he said kovasic is already tired, so mount is not tire yet, just because Roman promise him three season to proved himself he think they can't sack him baa, let's watch and see, no matter what he's not ready to take mount off, mount is not in the match right from the beginning.....coach Lampard be warned 😭😭😭😭😭
vuobdln
30
I am sorry Frank but bringing in an 18-yr old in place of Kovacic who was impressive today was a tactical mistake. Our weak midfield got even weaker. We are all supportive of our young players but at the right time not in the last ten minutes when team is under pressure and you are only one goal up. I also didn’t understand the rational behind bringing Batshuayi for Abraham. What was he supposed to do that Tammy couldn’t.
looadekmtu
26
Honestly speaking am so scared of what will become of Chelsea come May next year ,position wise.I recalled we registered well over 22 players last season under former coach Sari.We sold d likes Eden and some few others on loan.What we are experiencing now is an entirely new squared dat is not premiership standard. The lacks leadership. Cesar has seen his brightest days.He is obviously d missing link in DAT defense set up.And above all d team has 2nd half syndrome. Pep talk during half time is mean't to correct mistakes but unfortunately it destabilizes d team.We seriously require a consult I um of coaches it else God forbid, nationwide league here we come.