Pulisic made a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge but has scored five goals in his past three league games

There was no hesitation in Frank Lampard’s response. The Chelsea manager was sat at the club’s Surrey training base contemplating Christian Pulisic’s stuttering start to life at Stamford Bridge: how he was still in the infancy of his career at 21, how he had arrived for a significant fee — £58 million — and how he was competing in a congested field.

For weeks Lampard had insisted Pulisic had his backing and support. How about a loan in January, then? “No,” Lampard said firmly. Less than a month on and it is clear to see why.

Pulisic has pushed himself into the starting line-up by providing assists as a substitute, swiftly followed by goals of his own. A hat-trick against Burnley — the first of