Frank Lampard said there was no reason to read too much into handing Edouard Mendy his Chelsea debut in tonight's Carabao Cup game away to Tottenham Hotspur and refused to say if it was an audition to start in the Premier League at the weekend.
The Senegal international joined from Rennes for £22million last week and Lampard stressed it was more important for his whole team to stamp out the errors that saw them fall three goals behind in the first half against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday evening than focus on specific selection decisions.
Speaking to Sky before the game, Lampard said of Mendy: "Just making his debut. We've brought him in, we have confidence in him. He plays tonight. It doesn't matter who I select, who plays. Individual mistakes will cost you goals against quality opposition like tonight. That's clear for me."
Lampard was also not surprised to see Jose Mourinho name a stronger than expected line up. He added: "I was never taken by Jose on how he wouldn't have a team to compete. They have a very strong squad here and they have added to it this window.
"We knew they could pick a lot of players that weren't involved at the weekend and won't be involved on Thursday. Some are doing both. I expected a strong team. We got that."
Meanwhile, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has said that he expects Mendy to ease the Chelsea defence's skittishness.
The former Chelsea striker said: "I expect him to calm down the back four, bring some kind of confidence back. Kepa has not really done it at all and it's a big chance for Mendy. Petr Cech was instrumental in him coming so he must have a lot in his locker."
