Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is unhappy with the pressure being put on his players as they travel to Newcastle in the early kick off Saturday barely back from international duty.
At his pre-match press conference Lampard again called for the reintroduction of five substitutes, to follow the EFL’s recent decision, and questioned the need for 12.30 kick offs.
“Everywhere else… has five subs, and we at the moment don’t. We have to revisit that.
“Change the time… the answer is stop talking and act upon it.”
Chelsea can briefly go top with victory but will be without Thiago Silva after international travel and Christian Pulisic is still out, while Kai Havertz will probably miss the game after recovering from Covid-19.
Lampard expects to have Ben Chilwell available after his injury on England duty.
Steve Bruce acknowledged concerns about player welfare but rejected five substitutions, telling his press conference “I still don’t think it’s the real reason for players’ fatigue.”
Newcastle, who have launched legal action against the Premier League over their failed summer take-over, are without Ryan Fraser, but everyone else is in contention, including top scorer Callum Wilson.
They have won this home fixture five of the last seven times.
Predicted Score – 1-2
