Frank Lampard hinted he will look to bring in new signings after Chelsea were beaten 2-0 at home to Southampton.
The Blues have lost three of their last four league games at Stamford Bridge and boss Lampard was asked at his post-match press conference whether the result had made him more inclined to bring in new faces in January.
“I learn about the players in a game like that I suppose,” was his blunt response.
But Lampard defended Callum Hudson-Odoi, who struggled on his return to the starting line-up.
The England international gave the ball away in the build up to the first goal and was generally poor before being replaced in the second half.
Lampard said: “I thought he put a lot of effort in. He was trying things, making runs and it wasn’t quite coming off for him in the first half.
“He’s come off the back of a big injury and there’s certainly a period where we have to stick with him through that.
“He’s very young. There was a lot of talk last year about a contract and would he or wouldn’t he (sign it) and now he has.
“He’s in a period now where he needs to get his head down and work – and he knows that – to show what he can be for this club. It’s down to him now.
“I showed the faith in him by playing him today and I’ll continue to do that. We have to go with him a little bit.
“I saw an effort and a desire that I’ve seen in training these last couple of weeks.”