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Frank Lampardwas delighted to see Callum Hudson-Odoi back on the pitch forChelseabut says both he and Christian Pulisic struggled to execute his tactics in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win.
Both players started in the thumping 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town, with Hudson-Odoi netting late on as he made his long-awaited return from a serious Achilles injury.
Pulisic, meanwhile, assisted Michy Batshuayi’s second goal in what was his first outing in four games, though Lampard says both players needed to be spoken to at half-time over their tactical roles.
Asked if it was good to see Hudson-Odoi back in action, Lampard said at his post-match press conference: ‘Yeah of course. Firstly he has signed up, so that is good so that puts to bed everything else.
‘In terms of his performance, I thought first half not so sure. I thought him and Christian as wingers, the message was to hurt the line and run behind and end up in areas inside the box where you’re taking people on.
‘It wasn’t happening and that message didn’t get across because at half-time it had to be reinforced pretty strongly and in the second half we managed to get into better positions.
‘Callum’s talent means that he has to absolutely work hard to run behind people, to get at people, to be inside, to be outside and work off the ball and all those things.
‘That’s where he needs to learn because if he wants to play in the team week in and week out that is what he is going to have to do.’
After seeing off League Two side Grimsby in such easy fashion, Chelsea will have a rather tougher test in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after they were drawn at home to Manchester United.
Reacting to the news, Lampard said: ‘It is a big draw obviously. It is two big teams. I am pleased we are at home and we will see. That’s all. I just watched the penalties. I’ll comment nearer the time. ’
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