Football News

Lampard admits Batshuayi “deserves more minutes” as Chelsea boss considers attacking options

By Mohamed Moallim

Published: 16:52, 24 September 2019

Frank Lampard has admitted Michy Batshuayi “deserves” to play more for Chelsea after impressing him in training.

The 25-year-old Belgian striker is currently behind Tammy Abraham in the pecking order to lead the Blues’ forward line.

How has Batshuayi done at Chelsea? Five things to know…

  • Batshuayi joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2016.
  • He has since gone on to make 56 appearances, scoring 19 goals and registering five assists.
  • The majority of those outings (53) came under Antonio Conte and he wasn’t even used by Maurizio Sarri.
  • In recent years he has spent time on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Crystal Palace.
  • Frank Lampard concedes Batshuayi “deserves” more minutes after impressing in training.

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Since joining from Olympique Marseille in 2016 the, Brussels-born marksman has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth at Stamford Bridge and wasn’t even used by Maurizio Sarri last season.

As a consequence of being a squad player, Batshuayi has been sent out on loan, firstly to Borussia Dortmund before Valencia and Crystal Palace temporarily enjoyed his services.

To date he has featured four times under Lampard, who has been juggling his squad. In the recent 2-1 home defeat against Premier League leaders Liverpool, the Chelsea boss kept Christian Pulisic as an unused substitute.

In the build-up to facing Jurgen Klopp’s men, some felt the American international would feature, but Lampard opted for Mason Mount who recovered from an ankle knock he sustained in their Champions League defeat to Valencia.

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“He (Pulisic) has played a few games,” Lampard told the club’s official website. “Willian has come back in and been sharp and looked good. I decided to go with Mason today because we needed to stay strong in midfield and play Mason higher up the pitch. Those are my choices to make. He will get ample opportunities as well.

“There’s him on the bench, Pedro, Ross Barkley, Batshuayi who deserves more minutes for the way he’s training at the moment, and those are unfortunate choices I need to make.”

Chelsea face Brighton at home this weekend after Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Grimsby Town at Stamford Bridge.