Frank Lampard has labelled Ross Barkley as ‘naive’ but believes the Chelsea midfielder has not broken any club codes after his late night incident in Liverpool.
The 25-year-old was back in his home time on Sunday after Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion the day before.
However, the England international had to be escorted to an ATM by police in order to pay a taxi driver after spilling chips in his cab on Sunday and being involved in an argument with him.
While Lampard says that the midfielder has not broken any club codes, he confirmed that Barkley has conceded he made a mistake, but that he is still in the squad for the Champions League game with Lille tomorrow.
‘He has travelled with us. In terms of permission, it’s not a problem to spend a day off in Liverpool. In the modern world the few hours to go up there and back is the least of my worries, especially when your family is there. It’s important for people to see them.
‘To address the issue, he hasn’t [broken] a club code being out. The lads were given a day off on Sunday. He hasn’t committed a crime, other than eating chips in the back of a cab which is a bit out of order for the cabbie.
‘But on a serious note, what he has done from my point of view has been naïve to be out on that evening, in the build-up to a Champions League game. He has admitted that as well, and very aware of that. On a professional level those are little things that shouldn’t happen.
‘I like Ross and I have had no problem with him since he’s been here, in fact the opposite. He wants to do well for this club. This morning he admitted he made a mistake. I will take that one at face value, and we move on.’
Lampard also confirmed that Kante faces late fitness test for Lille game in the Champions League.
‘He trained this morning and he got through training okay,’ said Lampard. ‘He is still one we have to assess in the morning but we are positive he will be fit to play.
