Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley believes Christian Pulisic may have to review his situation in the summer if he is not getting game time under Frank Lampard.
Pulisic joined the Blues from Borussia Dortmund last January, but spent the remainder of the season on loan at the German giants, before officially linking up with his new team-mates in the summer.
The USA international arrived at Stamford Bridge with a reputation as one of the up and coming stars in world football, but has so far found game time limited.
But he was handed a rare start in the Carabao Cup victory over Grimsby on Wednesday night, but Burley believes the 21-year-old should consider his options next summer if his lack of game time continues.
"No, no [Pulisic should not leave in January]” Burley told ESPNFC.
"I think come the end of the year, the season, you sit back and take stock when the transfer bans have all been sorted out, when the manager’s future is crystal clear.
"You wait until the end of the year and you say ‘okay, where are we? Where am I at this football club with this manager? How long is this manager going to be staying?
"Am I making any headway with this manager? And are they going to sign anybody else? And what kind of season have I had?’.
"He might have played, by the end of the year, 25-30 games, plus.
"It’s not looking likely at the moment but he may have done.
"So I would not jump to any hasty January conclusions, it’s very, very early.
"But the signs at the moment are it’s going to be tough."
