Lampard plays down omissions of Rudiger and Loftus-Cheek

Frank Lampard played down the significance of Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek being left out of Chelsea’s squad against Barnsley.

However, the Blues boss suggested that there are likely to be departures from Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.

Centre-back Rudiger has been left out for recent games and the arrival of Thiago Silva, who made his debut in the 6-0 Carabao Cup win, has nudged the German further down the pecking order.

And Loftus-Cheek has not featured since failing to impress in a recent outing against Brighton.

Lampard said: “They’re not in the squad – that’s just a choice at the moment. With the centre-halves, I can’t have them all in the squad at the moment.

“I keep getting questions about the size of the squad. Yes, there might be movement (out). We know that.

“But nothing is concrete, so don’t read too much into those selections at the minute.

“It (any departures) will have to be things that are right for the club, individuals and me.”

Kai Havertz stole the show, scoring a hat-trick as Chelsea cruised into the fourth round.

There were also goals for Tammy Abraham, Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud.

And there was a debut too for Ben Chilwell, who came on as a substitute and crossed for Giroud to head home.

“I’m delighted with Kai. It was everything I wanted the night to be,” Lampard declared.