Billy Gilmour patience
Billy Gilmour has made an excellent impression at Chelsea when he has got his first team chances under Frank Lampard.
However, the 1-0 win over Leicester City was his lowest point for the young Scot as he struggled massively before being taken off at half-time.
Expectation around the 19-year-old has grown massively after his performances against Liverpool and Everton before the long break.
This was Gilmour’s first start since and so there was always going to be a sense of rustiness and there certainly was.
But there has to be a real sense of perspective and it is all about the bigger picture for the youngster.
I have seen the midfielder on several occasions for the youth teams, and even then he might have the odd bad game.
It is going to happen and as long as Gilmour himself doesn’t get to downbeat about it, then there is still encouragement for the future.
It will be about patience with him, something Frank Lampard will certainly have.
Ross Barkley’s future
Just when you think that Ross Barkley is destined for a Chelsea exit, he goes and scores the winner for the Blues.
The 26-year-old has struggled to be a regular starter over the course of his time with Chelsea, but he has had his moments.
It was a well-taken goal from the England international, and he really helped turn the game and add some intensity to the Blues.
In truth, he really should have scored a couple more as the game went on, something that the player himself admitted.
But what is his role at the Blues? Does he really have a future with the club in the long-term?
Lampard does seem to like the midfielder and he could have a future, but his big appearances still appear to be in the FA Cup.
He is yet to score in the Premier League or Champions League this season, and that is a worry going forward.
Barkley has his moments, but consistency still seems to be the real issue in the Chelsea XI.
Lampard making use of substitutes
Due to the busy schedule with the rest of the Premier League and the FA Cup to play, it was decided to allow five substitutes per game.
And Chelsea have already been one of the big winners from that change of rules, highlighted by the win over Leicester yesterday.
While every club has the chance to bring in five substitutes, not everyone has the ability to bring on the quality that Lampard has.
It meant that in the FA Cup he could rotate his squad and bring on players who would completely change the game.
When you have the chance to make a triple substitution of Ross Barkley, Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta, it can only be a benefit for the Blues.
Lampard is able to roll the dice and he is making full of advantage of the rule which is changing Chelsea’s fortunes.
Man United a great opportunity
Of course, when the draw came it had to be Manchester United who Chelsea would face in the FA Cup semi-final.
The Blues have already faced the Red Devils three times this season, twice in the Premier League and the other in the Carabao Cup.
However, on all three occasions it is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side who have come out on top and won every game.
It has been the one side who have really got Lampard’s number so far over the course of his first season with the Blues.
While there will be a sense of trepidation going into the game at Wembley, Lampard will see it as a big opportunity for himself.
It will be a real test to see how far his side have really come under him over the course of the campaign and how they are moving forward.
Both sides are pushing hard for the top four spot, but both sides will also be desperate to win some silverware.
It means the battle at Wembley will be an intense one and a key marker for Lampard.
Ben Chilwell audition
It's been no secret that the Blues are looking at a new left-back in the summer after the spending spree of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
At the top of the list has been Leicester City Ben Chilwell, so it was the perfect chance for Lampard to have a real look at him.
It wasn't a superb performance from the full-back, despite some encouraging signs to show he could be an asset for the Blues.
The 23-year-old is certainly a positive left-back, whose first thought when on the ball is to get forward and be positive.
The issue for the Blues will be spending big money on a player, which might be a risk in Chilwell's case.
There is still a lot of development for the player, who is seen as a big prospect and could fit well into Lampard's starting XI.
