Chelsea boss and former England international, Frank Lampard has challenged Mitchy Batshuayi to step up and to put in continuous shifts in the park in the absence of Tammy Abraham who seems to be absent for a few games. Tammy Abraham was seen limped off after the 22-year-old collided with the pitchside advertising hoardings late on in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal
Frank Lampard revealed in the press conference that the England international did not suffer serious ankle damage in the incident, but the full extent of the injury is still unknown. Chelsea will be without their top-scorer of the season for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round trip to Hull City, meaning just a fourth start of the season in all competitions for Batshuayi. And the 26-year-old Belgian international has been urged by his gaffer to make the most of his rare opportunity to shine.
“He starts [on Saturday], yes, this is a chance for him,”
“Part of that has been how Tammy’s been – we have seen his breakthrough and the consistency of his game. But yes, this is a chance for him and clearly he certainly has got to take that chance in terms of his all-round game and goals and his overall performance.”
The Belgian, Batshuayi has scored three goals in his three previous cup starts this term and has five goals in 21 appearances overall. Asked what he hopes to see from the Belgium striker against Hull, Lampard added:
“I don’t want to sit here and dissect Michy’s game, but I just want to see a performance and every time he gets to be on the pitch.
“There have been times this season where he has come on and he has made a difference, and that needs to be consistent. To be fair to Michy – his approach and work ethic, I cannot complain about it at all in training. I’m sure he will say he hasn’t had that many opportunities that would be normal for a player that’s played as much as him this season.”
“But the reality of it is, when you get those opportunities, whether it’s ten minutes coming on to try and affect a game, or starts in whatever game they are, you need to try and absolutely make an impact. At times he’s made an impact. At other times not so much.
The brutal reality is, I suppose Tammy’s had a really good season and his [Batshuayi’s] moments have probably not been as much as he would want. But he does have to try and make the impact in every little moment and chance he gets.”
