Lampard dismisses criticism from Mourinho after Chelsea defeat

Frank Lampard dismissed criticism of his team selection from former boss Jose Mourinho after his first match as Chelsea manager ended in a 4-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Mourinho, who has managed both clubs, was speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports.

He suggested Chelsea needed more experience and that his former player Lampard could have started with N’Golo Kante, who came on as a substitute, and Willian even if they were not fully fit.

But Lampard insisted that neither player was ready following recent injuries.

“I can’t drag people out of the medical room to play, whether they’re experienced or not,” he said.

“We were clearly the better team for 45 to maybe 60 minutes. What was evident is that we made individual errors that led to four goals from their five shots.

“I don’t have to be too concerned about what anyone else says pundit-wise or whoever they may be.

“What’s clear is the squad we’ve got. I believe in it. And if we go in at half-time 2-1 or 3-1 up, as we probably should have done – if we were more clinical and had maybe a stroke of luck here and there – the game would be completely different.”

Lampard also opted not to start with new arrival Christian Pulisic, who came on in the second half.

The new Blues boss believes Pulisic, signed from Borussia Dortmund, needs to be eased in gradually.

Lampard said: “Christian Pulisic is 20 years old and he’s come across from Dortmund.

“He’s going to be a fantastic player for the club, I believe. He’s got great ability and you saw little moments of his acceleration on the ball.

“But I’ve also got other options in midfield and in those sort of areas and I don’t want stick Christian straight into the fire without trying to help him along the way.”