Frank
Lampard says he is "very happy" with Jorginho and insists the midfielder is
a pivotal member of his Chelsea squad despite his lack of action since the
resumption of the Premier League.
Jorginho was a regular starter at the beginning of the campaign but his only
minutes post-lockdown came as an 80th-minute substitute against Crystal
Palace on Tuesday.
Lampard says competition for places in his team is fierce but ahead of their
match against Sheffield United on Saturday has stressed that Jorginho has
been a key player for him this season.
"I have selection issues in midfield. Good issues because I have N'Golo
Kante, Billy Gilmour, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic," Lampard told
Sky
Sports News.
"And then in slightly more advanced areas I have Mason Mount, Ross Barkley
and I have Ruben Loftus-Cheek now.
"There are always players who are maybe unhappy or have moments out of the
team and that's Jorginho at the moment.
"If a player is missing for one game or a few games, it doesn't mean in any
way that they are out of my thoughts going forward.
"There have been times when he has been pivotal for me this year certainly
on and off the pitch. That doesn't change and I am very happy with him."
Lampard: Abraham is a serious player
Tammy Abraham is also approaching the end of his first full season as a key
member of Chelsea's first-team squad, and the striker netted his first goal
of the restart in the 3-2 midweek win against Crystal Palace.
Abraham started the campaign in blistering form with eight league goals in
his first eight games but has struggled to continue scoring in that vein
over the course of the season.
"This has been a breakthrough season for him in effect as a Premier League
striker at the top of the goalscoring charts, which he was for big parts of
the season," Lampard said.
"He's seen the really nice patch when the goals are flying in, and the
tougher times and what it takes to be consistent at this level.
"That has been a great experience for him and he has done brilliantly well,
let's be really straight about that. Now it's [taking it to] stage two at
this level and that is people knowing about you, and what you do.
"He has to focus on himself, on training and how he can get better and
improve. We know he can improve, but that's for him because he is a serious
player."
Lampard enjoying watching Pulisic turn on
the style
Lampard admits he is enjoying watching Christian Pulisic turn on the style
in a Chelsea shirt.
The Chelsea head coach says the American's electric form since the Premier
League resumed is down in large part to the sacrifices the forward makes to
gain a competitive edge on opposing players.
Pulisic, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Borussia Dortmund last summer,
has featured in all of five of Chelsea's Premier League games since the
restart, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
"I continue to watch him and enjoy it," Lampard said.
"There was a lot of talk about Christian at the beginning of the season, and
he came to us having not really had a break, and it was difficult for him,
the physicality of the league. But he works so hard.
"I have to say with Christian he works so hard with our strength and
conditioning coach Adam Burrows and spends extra hours in the gym.
"You see his physicality, and speed and balance now, and how he can hold
people off when he moves with the ball and that's down to his choice to work
so hard in the gym and do those extra bits.
"It's all showing in his game. We have a player that is really talented and
has got a great attitude to match."
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