Frank Lampard says Carney Chukwuemeka will need to be patient as he tries to establish himself in the Chelsea side.
The highly-rated Chukwuemeka, 19, has started just one game since being signed from Aston Villa last year.
He featured as a late substitute during the defeat at Manchester City on Sunday.
Lampard, who is coming to the end of his spell as the Blues’ interim boss, told reporters: “When you’re a young player you have to wait your time.
“I’m not the first manager where he hasn’t got loads of minutes. It’s been a season like that for him.
“I want to get him more minutes, but I have to think about my job. I thought he did well when he came on.
“He will get more minutes I hope in these next two games coming up.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Hall has certainly taken his chance in the team and produced a fine performance at City.
Hall played because both Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella are unavailable, and Lampard hopes the left-back gets more opportunities next season and grows in stature.
“He’s a quiet lad. The first thing I’ve seen in the last month is that he definitely needs to come out of himself that little bit more,” said Lampard.
“I’m not asking him to change his personality, but in footballing terms to affect people around him.
“In terms of his quality on the ball, it’s really clear. He’s obviously got to add to that as he goes along.
“It’ll be good to see him get regular games at this level to be tested more. But he’s shown he can do it there.”