Frank Lampard defended Timo Werner and Kai Havertz after both players scored against Morecambe - comparing them to Chelsea legend Eden Hazard.
Summer signings Werner and Havertz have struggled recently, but both players scored in a 4-0 FA Cup win on Sunday.
Werner's goal was his first in 13 games in all competitions, while Havertz has struggled to make an impact on the Premier League after suffering with coronavirus earlier in the season.
The form of both players was piling the pressure on Chelsea boss Lampard, with Havertz having cost £72million and Werner £48m as part of a spending splurge of more than £200m in the summer.
But after his side booked their place in Monday's draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup, Lampard jumped to the defence of the big-money recruits.
He pointed out that Hazard had also taken time to settle at Stamford Bridge before becoming one of the club's greats - and predicted that Havertz and Werner would do the same.
“The people that question them should look at other top players that have come at a young age to this country," Lampard told talkSPORT.
“Eden Hazard being a great example. He came here and became one of our greatest players ever.
“It’s not an easy transition to this league. It’s a hard league and I think people that question them should give them time because they are great lads and we signed them for now and the future.
“I understand the questions as it’s the world we live in. They will prove to be big players for the club.”
Hazard scored 110 goals in 352 games for Chelsea,inspiring the club to two Premier League titles, two Europa Cup triumphs, and FA Cup and League Cup glory.
Chelsea's all-time record scorer Lampard will hope to restore the west London outfit to similar glories.
And showed his intent with a relatively strong team selection against League Two side Morecambe - which was also aimed at helping some players rediscover their form after a recent poor run.
“I think the balance of selection from me was players who haven’t been playing so much and deserve to get minutes. They did and they did well," said the manager.
“Also players that are playing but want confidence and are searching. You see that in the goals.
“Kai comes in with his goal late in the game and Timo gets a goal.
“In attacking areas and areas we started the season well on our unbeaten run we were scoring lots of goals in areas all over the pitch, but that hasn’t come with us.
“We need that if we are going to be successful this year. The confidence today can be very helpful going forward.”
Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi also scored for Chelsea, who are away to Fulham in their next Premier League game on Friday.
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