Lampard to utilise his squad for Red Devils’ cup encounter

Frank Lampard has accepted that he will have to utilise his Chelsea squad for the Carabao Cup clash against Manchester United due to the demanding schedule. The Blues go into Wednesday’s third-round tie at Stamford Bridge on an impressive seven-match winning run which culminated in Saturday evening’s 4-2 victory at Burnley in the Premier League.
Chelsea thrashed League Two Grimsby 7-1 in the previous round of the League Cup earlier in October, but United are a significant step-up in quality.
Therefore, while Lampard might have been forgiven if he wanted to send out a strong side this week, the head coach has admitted that he will pitch in some of his fringe players.
He told his press conference: “I have to be aware of the fact that we haven’t changed the team very much. That’s my prerogative when I think the team is playing pretty well but this game may be an opportunity for other players who are not playing. “It’s not necessarily to do with age, more to do with minutes in games and that might mean some of the more experienced players who haven’t played as much will have an opportunity.”
The game against United will be the sixth game of the month for Chelsea as they fight it out for domestic and Champions League honours.
And, while Lampard acknowledged that players like to be involved in every game, he is looking at the “bigger picture” as the games continue to come thick and fast.
However, the 41-year-old is adamant that he will expect Chelsea to win the United game regardless of any changes he does opt to make, “because I believe in the squad being strong throughout”.
Chelsea face another six fixtures throughout November with Premier League games against Watford, Crystal Palace Manchester City and West Ham and a Champions League Group H double-header against Ajax and Valencia.