Chelsea legend Frank Lampard urges Tiemoue Bakayoko to improve to cement his place in the first team: 'In some games he just hasn’t been there'

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Frank Lampard wants to see more from Chelsea's new midfield signing Tiemoue Bakayoko after an unassuming start to the new season. 

Bakayoko arrived to Stamford Bridge from Monaco for £40million in the summer but the 23-year-old is yet to live up to expectations. 

Lampard hopes the return to fitness of Danny Drinkwater can push both signings to a new level.

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard urges Tiemoue Bakayoko to improve his performances 

Writing in his Evening Standard column, Lampard suggested he was less than impressed with Chelsea's midfield option. 

He wrote: 'Both players [Drinkwater and Bakayoko] joined in the summer and as yet, Bakayoko has not made enough of an impact in games.

'When you sign for Chelsea, you have to understand that you’re never the only player for a position. There is always someone else knocking on the door.

'In some games, he just hasn’t been there. You have to train on the edge to convert that on to the pitch.'

Bakayoko has made 13 appearances for the Premier League champions this season but his position is now under threat from the returning Drinkwater, who played well against Newcastle at the weekend.

Danny Drinkwater returning could urge Bakayoko to improve his game, says Lampard 

Lampard was impressed with Drinkwater (right) as Chelsea beat Newcastle last time out 

Lampard says Bakayoko might also need more time to adjust to English football due to the lack of competition he experienced in Ligue 1.

He added: 'Obviously coming from the French league, there is a hurdle to overcome in terms of adapting to the pace of the English game.

'Perhaps the positive of Drinkwater, who I was impressed with on Saturday, being available for selection now is that coach Antonio Conte will rotate more, allowing Bakayoko to get himself right.'

Chelsea will hope for both their midfield men to click into gear against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

The Blues need a win to cement their position at the top of their Champions League group.

Chelsea are through to the last 16 of the Champions League but are yet to claim top spot

Lampard, 39, was the midfield general during his 13 years at Stamford Bridge