Frank Lampard plans to axe Cesar Azpilicueta from starting lineup

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard plans to axe Cesar Azpilicueta from the starting duties when Reece James returns to full fitness after his ankle injury.

Azpilicueta has been rewarded with the captain's armband on a permanent basis following the departure of Gary Cahill but his performances have been average from the left side of the defence this term.

The west London side have already conceded nine goals in the current league campaign and out of those, Azpilicueta has been culpable for more than half of them with his poor positioning.

According to The Star, Lampard won't hesitate to make the change in the right-back position, considering Azpilicueta has looked far from his best during the opening month of the 2019/2020 Premier League season.

The same report claims that the Blues boss is awaiting the return of James from injury following the international break and the teenager could directly replace Azpilicueta in the starting XI.

Chelsea have managed just five points from the first four league games of the season. This sees them in the ninth position but they could potentially drop into the bottom half of the table before the weekend concludes.