Christian Pulisic has admitted to being 'frustrated' at a lack of game time under Frank Lampard, but the Blues manager has urged patience in the early Chelsea career of the 21-year-old.
"He’s level. I spoke to him two days before the Grimsby game and was very clear about the standards and we have to give him the fact that he’s moved country and moved leagues," Lampard told reporters at Cobham Training Centre.
"He’s as young as all the young players we keep talking about. He’s just turned 21. So I think if anyone is getting too excited about this they should calm down because he’s started five games for us and what he needs to do is work, work daily, work to show within the group that he deserves to play.
"As they all do, as all the players do. That’s what the focus on everyone is. This is one of my difficult problems in this job. I have good players and everyone has a story.
"Christian Pulisic has a price tag. Ross Barkley is an international player. Mason Mount is an international player, Callum Hudson-Odoi just signed a new contract, Bayern Munich wanted to buy him last summer. He’s an international player.
"Ruben Loftus-Cheek will come back and be an international player. I can't pick them all and be in the game unfortunately. All I have to demand of them is that they show me in training and show me that they are worthy of the place.
"We can all focus on Pulisic from the other day but Callum’s the same and I have to speak in the real world when I speak to them and sometimes as a manager you want more.
"You have to be honest and the players have to react to that and Callum has now come on with two assists in the games that he’s come on and that’s what you want to keep pushing. I love the young players. I particularly love the young players because I want them to improve daily.
"At the same time, sometimes I have to make harsh decisions and say something that I see can help their game but might not sound that nice because I want them to be the best, all of them. That’s what I want them to be. That’s part of the process."
tuaeikmou
101
lampard played mount with an injury but pulisic was there..he has a prize tag international player so why is he not given a chance...I think will regret this it will be another..salah and debryne story...he scored and assisted wat performance does he want..he must let us know if Chelsea is becoming British national team
eljayodede
76
he would still produce better result than mount on the wing, so I don't see any reason to keep a natural winger on the bench a play a midfielder at the wing and even when we are not getting the result he will still continue doing it, mount has started almost all our games this season and has no assist, all the games he has played as winger we struggle to get result or even lost, for me I feel it's not about the guy not working but it about his love for mount, else why would odoi a natural winger that has come in twice and gotten 2 assist be on the bench for mount a midfielder that is been played off position, the game against Lille when odoi came in game changed because mount went back to his position and we have William and odoi causing problem for the opponent from the wings and that's how it's supposed to be but I'm sure he will still start mount from the wing against Southampton
waeamnrz
56
I thought Lampard is good at motivating his players. A happy team produces magical performances. Please trust all your players and get the best out of them. Mount, Abraham and Tomori are performing because of much trust and faith shown in them. Pulisic is not a bad or weak a player & the transition from one league to the other should not affect him completely from having few minutes in some games. A sub can do for him when not considered fully integrated into the league and team least we risk demotivating him even more if he is not string to get over this. He is a class player. Can't wait to see him play alongside Mount, collum and Abraham up front. watch up rivals as we rip you apart...!!!! up blues family!!! viva Lampard...
Cusademtyz
51
I don't get it, why are people complaining for Lampard not using Christian. Chealse have played only 11 game all season and this your Christian have started 5 out of those games. What was his contribution one assist and any little push he is on the floor. he should work on his balance and wait for another opportunity, because we have a lot of guys waiting.
Jeoiklpuy
42
Have you managed a football team before? Do you understand football Tactics? Do you know that a new footballer need to settle in a new league and need to be integrated slowly? Pulisic is the least of Chelsea problem at the moment. Chelsea need solidarity from front to back, we don't have issue with attacking players atm and playing mount on the wing help to balance the Team. The few time I have watched Pulisic play, he hasn't been convincing as he fall over due to anxiety. He need to be integrated into the most difficult league in the world sloqly. Fans might end up with pressuring out the good out of this young man with the way fans are calling him out to play as he is still young an fragile. Ask Cuaduado and Salah. This players were rush into the Team and affected their confidence greatly. Fans need to be patient about this player.He will play and come good.
sekaelmops
35
Chelsea fans , please get the message right. It's about how you train and follow the coach's instructions. It's not about how expensive you are or how popular with the fans you are. Those of us who really love Pulisic should pass the message to him. !!! As long as the coach is delivering the results I , personally I dont care who plays. Remember he has a job to protect just as much as you protect yours. Well done Lampard. Mount is the most aggressive forward in the team. We have so far scored 2 goals directly because of his ability to didspossses opponents in their box. Mount , in any position is currently a better player than Pulisic. Watch all the Chelsea games before making unsubstantiated claims.
hayempt
29
Remember who kept pulisic on the bench in Dortmund- Sancho(British). He is even younger than pulisic. Being talented is good but not good enough when not accompanied with hard work. Try to compare what Mount and pulisic brings to the team. As a good coach u don't just look at the goals and assists but the balance of the team in all departments. Mount relatively adds more energy and dynamism to the team. He has energy to mark and does that from opposition half which does not give them room to attack. Pulisic needs to improve on that bcos he gives opponents space to attack from his wing. To do this he needs time and hard work. Chelsea fans pls let Lampard be cos he knows what he is doing. If Lampard wants to sign all the British players, that's his business as long as the team has the balance and gets the result.