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Lampard questioned on Pulisic and Werner roles with Chelsea boss keen to have options out wide

Frank Lampard has opened up on his use of Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner at Chelsea and says he is keen to have different options out wide.

Chelsea‘s progress under Lampard has taken a setback over the past week with consecutive defeats to Everton and Wolves, the losses ending a run of 14 games unbeaten in all competitions for the west London side.

Lampard’s side currently sit seventh in the Premier League ahead of this weekend’s clash with West Ham at Stamford Bridge, and the manager’s tactics have been questioned by some of late.

Amongst the sources of contention have been his use of summer signing Timo Werner in a position on the left-hand side of the attack, the Germany international having scored 34 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season playing primarily through the centre.

Werner has scored eight goals for Chelsea so far this season but has been criticised for his performances in recent weeks, and Lampard has opened up on his decision to utilise the 24-year-old from the flank.

“For different reasons,” he said at his pre-match press conference. “We had a big reference for a target man. Timo for Leipzig and Germany played in lots of roles so not a problem for him to be used there. He can be used across the front three.”

Lampard was also questioned on Christian Pulisic after playing the winger on the right despite the 22-year-old having flourished from the opposite wing towards the end of last season, though the Chelsea boss insists the US international is one of a number of players comfortable on either side.

“[It’s] My decision. I have players who can play on both sides. Not all [of them], like Hakim [Ziyech, who plays predominantly] on the right, but Timo and Christian can play left and right.

“It can give the opposition a problem. I like to have the option to change it at times.”

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