Frank Lampard has revealed how dropping Cesar Azpilicueta was easy for him – because the defender is such a Chelsea die-hard deep inside.

Azpilicueta was relegated to the bench as Reece James was handed his first Premier League start for the club – the latest young starlet off the Stamford Bridge production line.

Lampard opted to throw the 19-year-old in to shackle Wilfried Zaha, and James responded with an impressive display to show why he is regarded as the future at right-back in West London.

But the Chelsea boss says his club captain took the news well, despite admitting he could now face some tough decisions for the remainder of the season, The Sun report.

Lampard said: “These are the kind of decisions I have to make as a manager.

“It would have been harder to speak to Azpi about leaving him out if he wasn’t in his best form, but because he has been playing well he knew I was only looking to give Reece some minutes.

“Azpi is such a great person to have around the place, he wants everything for this club and he understands my need to look at other options.

“I thought Reece did well up against one of the best wingers in the Premier League, someone who is dangerous one on one, and on most of the occasions he dealt with Zaha which is not easy.

“As a manager I have to make these decisions, and if anything it’s given me some more decisions to make going forward.”