Frank Lampard has described Ross Barkley as "naive" after the Chelsea midfielder had a late night row with a taxi over some chips.
As exclusively revealed by the Daily Mirror, Barkley needed to be escorted to a cashpoint by two police officers in Liverpool last weekend, after the driver accused him of spilling chips in the back of his cab.
The 25-year-old former Everton star eventually agreed to pay the driver before he drove off.
The incident happened a day before the Blues jetted off to France for their Champions League group stage clash with Lille.
Lampard said: “What he has done is to be naive to be out on that evening in the build up to a Champions League game. He has admitted that.
“I am very aware of that. On a professional level, those are things that shouldn’t happen.
“Ross hasn’t broken a club code being out 48 hours before a game. The lads were given a day off on Sunday.
“He has travelled with us. I don’t expect to have to give permission on a day off to be in Liverpool.
“That’s not a problem. In the modern world, Liverpool is the least of my worries. It is only a few hours to get up there and back. Especially when your family is up there. It is important for people to see them.
“He hasn’t committed a crime other than eating chips in the back of a cab, which is probably a bit out of order for the cabby.
“I like Ross. I have had no problem with him. He works hard and wants to do well. This morning he admitted making a mistake. I will take that one at face value and we move on.”
The Chelsea manager also used the opportunity to send out a blanket warning to the the rest of his young players about their responsibilities in public.
Lampard said: “That is my responsibility.
“I do it constantly. Unfortunately for them, and this isn’t an excuse, they live in the modern day where there are many benefits but there’s difficulties.
“People – I don’t know why – have to pick up their phone and try and video people in any moment they think might be interesting to possibly sell or pass on.
“What the lads need to do for their own benefit is behave. Secondly, be aware of the pitfalls.
“We have a very good bunch at this club. Really good lads. I made mistakes as a player. Don’t we all. I have got confidence in them. But they must take on their responsibilities off the pitch.”
