LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Frank Lampard admits he didn’t want to start either Jorginho or Mateo Kovacic for Chelsea last night

Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover

Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United in the League Cup yesterday.

Head Coach Frank Lampard talks to the media at Chelsea Training Ground on October 29, 2019 in Cobham, England.

Frank Lampard has told Football London that he didn’t want to play either Jorginho or Mateo Kovacic for Chelsea last night.

Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United in the League Cup yesterday, with Lampard making changes to his line-up.

Many of the Blues key players were rested for the contest, but Chelsea were short of options in midfield.

With Ngolo Kante, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all out injured, Lampard was forced to pick some of the more regular members of his starting team.

And the Chelsea boss admits that he ideally would have preferred to have given both Kovacic and Jorginho the night off.

“He [Kante] will hopefully join in training in the next couple of days,” Lampard said.

“He’s important for us. I’d liked to have given Jorginho and Kovacic a rest today but I couldn’t because of N’Golo, Ross, Ruben being out long-term.

“We couldn’t make those changes I would have wanted to today but it is what it is.”

Jorginho of FC Chelsea and Mateo Kovacic of FC Chelsea celebrates after wining during the UEFA Champions League group H match between AFC Ajax and Chelsea FC at Amsterdam Arena on October...

Jorginho and Kovacic started alongside youngster Billy Gilmour in Chelsea’s line-up last night, and they helped him impress.

Jorginho and Kovacic could be required to start again for Lampard’s side at the weekend, although GIlmour is likely to drop out of the team.

Chelsea’s next match comes against bottom of the table Watford, when they will hope to return to winning ways.