Chelsea boss Frank Lampard spoke at a press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of this weekend’s game against Crystal Palace. Here are three key things we learned.
Pulisic is back in the squad but Ziyech is still out
“Pulisic is in the squad for tomorrow. He won’t start the match because of the injury he’s had. It’s been a difficult injury.
“I am very keen to get him back in there, so it’s great to have him back for the boost he can give the team. He’s an important player for us.
“Hakim Ziyech is getting closer but is not quite fit enough to be on the bench.”
Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi and Tomori could leave on loan
“With every player in the squad, if it’s a loan, you have to consider what’s best for the player and the club.
“With those three players I would always take those things into consideration. I have a good relationship with them all and speak honestly with them. It’s one we’ll approach player by player over the next few days.
“Once the window shuts, every player that is here will be used because there is a long season coming up.
“I’m not interested in getting involved in speculation for the last few days of the window because what I say now will be speculation. We’ll see how that develops over the next few days.”
Lampard didn’t deny having a dressing-room row with Alonso at West Brom
“I’m not going to disclose what goes on in the dressing room. I think that would be wrong.
“It was a game we were disappointed to be 3-0 down at half-time in. I had to make changes.
“All I ask from all the players is that whatever, for good or for bad, that the players stick together in every moment because that’s the only thing that brings a successful group.
“That’s as much as I’ve got to say on it. It doesn’t affect anything ongoing. I cannot have grudges.
“We carry on. We work, we’re honest with each other and we carry on working to get better and better.
“Things happen during the course of a season. They happen a lot.”