Lampard challenges Batshuayi to show his true game against Hull City

We’ve been watching Michy Batshuayi pretty closely for the past 3.5 years now, which means that we’ve been waiting for just about as long for him to truly come good and match his performances on social media with performances on the pitch. Alas, outside of a 3-month period while on loan at Borussia Dortmund, he’s not convinced those in charge that he’s got the required consistency to start and/or play to the requirements of the match plan.

It is perhaps credit to him that he’s still managed to score the title-winning goal in 2016-17 and find the back of the net at a 1-in-3 rate overall for the Blues: 24 in 74 appearances, just 21 of which have beens starts.

He had been on pace to match or even exceed that earlier this season as well, but his contributions have dropped off precipitously since scoring three goals in the month of October, including the winner in Amsterdam against Ajax. He’s now gone 13 appearances without a goal or an assist, including a full 90 minutes against Nottingham Forest in the previous round of the FA Cup.

The not-so-super-sub now gets another chance to show what he can do as a starter, with head coach Frank Lampard challenging him to show what he can do against Hull City today.

this is a chance for him and clearly he certainly has got to take that chance in terms of his all-round game and goals and his overall performance.

“This is a chance for him and clearly he certainly has got to take that chance in terms of his all-round game and goals and his overall performance.

“There have been times this season where he has come on and he has made a difference, and that needs to be consistent. I don’t want to sit here and dissect Michy’s game but I just want to see a performance tomorrow and every time he gets to be on the pitch.

”To be fair to Michy his approach and work ethic, I cannot complain about it at all in training. I’m sure he will say he hasn’t had that many opportunities that would be normal for a player that’s played as much as him this season.

”But the reality of it is when you get those opportunities, whether it’s ten minutes coming on to try and affect a game or starts in whatever game they are, you need to try and absolutely make an impact.

“At times he’s made an impact. At other times not so much. The brutal reality is I suppose Tammy’s had a really good season and his (Batshuayi’s) moments have probably not been as much as he would want. But he does have to try and make the impact in every little moment and chance he gets.”

-Frank Lampard; source: Football.London

The challenge is clear.

Over to you, Batsman.