Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has explained his decision to drop Marcos Alonso for the Blues' clash against Watford.
The Spaniard, who had started Chelsea's last six Premier League matches, was replaced by Emerson in Frank Lampard's only change from the side that beat Burnley 4-2 last weekend.
Emerson has established himself as Lampard's first-choice left-back, however, the Italian has been struggling with a hamstring injury for a couple of months which saw Alonso come back into the side.
Lampard, however, has once again swapped his full-backs and explained they were looking to get Emerson some minutes after returning to full fitness.
Lampard told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off: "He's fit again. He's been out for a while and he's had a bit of an issue with his hamstring. We've had to wait our time with him a little bit. Marcos has played a lot of games, Emerson comes in as a straight swap."
Turf Moor hat-trick hero Christian Pulisic was also once again in the Blues' starting XI following his treble last weekend.
The American scored a perfect hat-trick, his first goals for Chelsea, during the 4-2 victory over Burnley.
With Callum Hudson-Odoi impressing in midweek, Lampard is spoiled for choice in the areas.
Whilst Lampard refused to go as far a saying Pulisic was 'undroppable', he was hoping the American winger could produce a similar display.
"I'm not sure about impossible but of course, the performance of him last week, he played again in midweek, but what he did last week is exactly what I want to see from him," Lampard said.
"I know we've got competition in those areas and they need to push themselves along. Let's hope he can reproduce something like last week."
