Chelsea settled for a 2-2 draw with Leicester, thanks to the efforts of Antonio Rudiger. The performance of the German international drew praise from manager Frank Lampard as the team gets a 17-day break before facing Manchester United on Feb. 17.
"I was delighted with his two goals. We need to score more from set-pieces, particularly in games against good opposition when it’s tight. So really pleased with Toni," said Lampard via the Chelsea FC website.
However, one player who most were expecting to see action finally was midfielder Christian Pulisic. The 21-year-old is coming off a thigh injury and has not played since New Year's Day. Pulisic did not travel with the team. The United States men's national team captain had posted via his Instagram account that he was running and ready to play. But Chelsea F.C. thought it would be best to keep him out and make sure he recuperates properly.
Chelsea had already announced prior to their match against Leicester that Pulisic will not be made available. So far, he has missed four weeks of action due to an adductor injury. But there is a fair chance he could finally be in action when the Blues face Manchester United.
According to Lampard, they did consider getting Pulisic out this week. However, he felt that doing so would be rushing things a bit; they held off his return. For him, the results were a big break, although he prefers to play it safe on when Pulisic will be given the green light to play.
"I won't have an answer till we're back training. Yes, [we miss him] because he's a quality player and was having a really good patch pre-Christmas. But others have to stand up too. But, of course, we'll be happy to have him back," the 41-year-old manager said via Goal.com.
With the Blues hardly making any roster changes, Lampard believes the road will be tougher ahead. Seeing how teams like Manchester United, Sheffield United and Tottenham have signed key players, he now considers Chelsea as underdogs in another report from Goal.com.
"Now what remains to be seen will be seen and from my view—and this is not to talk down ourselves because we're six points clear in fourth—now we become probably the underdogs and the outsiders to some point because the teams around us have strengthened. It's a fact," Lampard said.
With Pulisic's return still uncertain, the Blue may have to rely on other players for now. That includes Reece James, who has been trying to contribute to the club's cause.
