Lampard: I told Pulisic what he needs to do to get into Chelsea XI
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has confirmed he had a discussion with his USA star Christian Pulisic on his future at the London club.
Christian Pulisic was a £58million January signing who arrived in the summer after being loaned back to Borussia Dortmund has been subject of debate in the past weeks because of his lack of playing time.
Frank Lampard has been blamed for his role in Christian Pulisic lack of action with many calling the Chelsea boss bias towards English players.
But Frank Lampard has revealed that he had a talk with the American and he told him what he and other Chelsea youngsters need to do get into the starting XI.
Lampard said: “One of my problems in this job is that I have good players and everyone has their story – Christian has a price-tag, Ross Barkley is an international player, so too is Mason Mount.
“Callum Hudson-Odoi has just signed a new contract, Bayern Munich wanted to buy him, he is an international player, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will come back and be an international player… and I can’t pick them all in the game, unfortunately.
“All I have to demand of them is that they show me in training or show me in the game, when they get the chances to play, that they are worthy of their place.
“I spoke to Christian two days before the Grimsby game and was very clear about the standards. And we have to give him the fact he has moved country, leagues and is as young as all the young players we are talking about.
“He has just turned 21. So if anyone is getting too excited about this, they should calm down, frankly, because he has already started five games for us
What he needs to do is work daily, and work to show within the group that he deserves to play – as all the players do.
“I’ve been really pleased with Callum’s response to criticism and that has to continue.
“We can all focus on Pulisic, but Callum’s the same. I have to speak in the real world when I speak to them.”
There could be another chance for Christian Pulisc this Sunday when Chelsea tackle the Saints at the St Mary’s Stadium.
