‘What he has probably done from my point of view is be naive’: Chelsea boss Frank Lampard warns Ross Barkley after being caught up in row with taxi driver just two days prior to Lille clash
- Ross Barkley was recently embroiled in a row with a taxi driver over spilled chips
- The incident took place just two days before their crucial clash away at Lille
- The midfielder was escorted to a cash machine by police following the argument
- The Chelsea man was accused of being drunk and refusing to pick up the chips
Frank Lampard has branded Ross Barkley ‘naive’ after the Chelsea midfielder was caught up in an embarrassing row with a taxi driver over spilled chips – just two days before their crunch Champions League clash with Lille.
The England star was escorted to a cash machine by police after he became embroiled in the argument in Liverpool late on Sunday night.
Barkley was accused of being drunk and refusing to pick up the chips, before he finally agreed to pay the driver.
Ross Barkley has been branded ‘naive’ by Chelsea boss Frank Lampard ahead of clash vs Lille
At his press conference ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Group H clash, Lampard confirmed the midfielder had travelled to France with the rest of the squad.
The Chelsea boss insisted Barkley had broken no club rules – or committed any crime – by heading to his hometown on a day off. But Lampard said the 25-year-old and his team-mates had to be aware of their responsibilities under the glare of the limelight.
‘I don’t expect permission (for him) to be in Liverpool on a day off. It’s not a problem, in the modern world Liverpool is the least of my worries – it’s a few hours to go there and back especially when your family is there and it’s important for people to see them,’ Lampard said.
‘He hasn’t (broken) a club code being out 48 hours before a game, the lads were given a day off on Sunday. He hasn’t committed a crime, probably other than eating chips in the back of a cab which is probably a bit out of order for the cabbie!
‘But on a serious note, what he has probably done from my point of view is be naive to be out on that evening, in the build up to a Champions League game. He’s admitted that as well. On a professional level, those are little things that shouldn’t happen.’
Lampard faced the media ahead of Chelsea’s crucial clash at Lille in the Champions League
Lampard insisted the midfielder has caused ‘no problems’ since he took over. Rather, the 25-year-old has impressed the manager with his attitude in training.
‘(He) wants to do well for this club and this morning he admitted he made a mistake. I’ll take that at face value and we move on,’ Lampard continued.
‘Unfortunately for (young players), which isn’t an excuse for them, they live in a modern day where there are a lot of benefits… but there are also difficulties that come with that in that people – I don’t understand why – have to pick up their phone at first glance and try to video people in any moment they think might be interesting to possibly sell or pass on.’
Lampard added: ‘We have a very good bunch at this club. They’re really good lads. I made mistakes as a player along the way, don’t we all? I’ve got confidence that they’re professional lads who want to do the best for this club and they must take on responsibilities off the pitch.’
Barkley will be hoping to put the incident behind him when Chelsea face Lille on Wednesday