Chelsea youngster Tino Anjorin has spoken following his first senior start on Tuesday night, revealing his brilliant reaction to manager Frank Lampard.
Anjorin started the Champions League clash with Krasnodar after Chelsea secured their qualification to the knockout stage and top spot with a win over Sevilla last week.
The 19-year-old had made two previous appearances for the senior side but had never started or turned out in Europe.
So, it's no surprise Anjorin reflected on the occasion as a 'special night', even if Chelsea couldn't pick up all three points in their group stage finale.
"It’s a special night for me and my family, especially with the fans back now as well," he told Chelsea's official website.
"To be able to have them here for my full debut was just amazing.
"My family were here as well. We had about five tickets so everyone was buzzing! I had loads of people asking for tickets but obviously, because of Covid-19, they can’t all come so I had to select a few but they were all delighted."
Anjorin also revealed his brilliant reaction to finding out he would start on Tuesday night, adding: "I got called in for training so I had some suspicions but at first I thought I’d be on the bench.
"When we put the team out in training, he [Lampard] said 'Tino, left wing' and that’s when I was like 'am I starting?' After that, Frank came up to me and asked if I was excited for my debut!"
Speaking about playing out wide having played central previously, the youngster added: "It was different and it took me a while to get used to the position.
"I thought on the ball I did well and off the ball I could have been a bit better but obviously that’s just me having not played there very often. It’s a performance I can definitely improve on.
"I’m feeling the fittest I’ve ever been. I’ve got a few 90 minutes in already this season.
"To come off the back of 90 minutes three days ago and then be able to play 80 minutes today shows that but I just have to go back now and work even harder than I did before."
