Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf does not believe that Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz would make manager Frank Lampard’s first-choice starting eleven currently.

When asked whether the pair should remain out of the team when they become available again, Leboeuf agreed and said Havertz, in particular, needs to do more to justify his £72m transfer fee:

“Right now, I would say yes. I said that, Havertz, I wasn’t convinced by his performances. Havertz is a diamond, he is going to be shining very, very soon for the club. [He still] he has to adapt English football, to his teammates, but it is not the case at the moment.”

Leboeuf was then asked about Pulisic. The American international has struggled with injury issues since his £58m move from Borussia Dortmund, and with Timo Werner playing well from the left-wing, Leboeuf claimed the German and Tammy Abraham have struck up a good understanding up front:

“It’s true that Abraham playing as a striker is better for Werner. And I believe the team is more balanced the way they played.”

To leave £130m worth of talent on the bench would be a controversial decision but it just demonstrates the wealth of attacking options that Lampard has available to him in the squad.

It remains to be seen when Pulisic will return from his latest hamstring problem, but Havertz will be available following the international break.