Frank Lampard says new signing Edouard Mendy could make his debut in Tuesday's Carabao Cup 3rd round tie with Tottenham.
The 28-year old arrived from Rennes for €25million last week, signing a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard has confirmed that Mendy and Ben Chillwell could both make their debuts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
"Mendy and Chilwell are in the squad tomorrow," the Chelsea boss told his pre-match press conference, "They are fit and we will see if they start or not. [Hakim] Ziyech and [Christian] Pulisic are not far away but they are still in a recovery phase. Too early for them both."
Lampard says Mendy has already settled in well at Cobham, "It is all very positive from the early signs and interactions. Just as a man on the training pitch.
"He has settled very well in the first few days and we have made him feel welcome as always. It is competition. He is a good goalkeeper and we know a lot about him. We will see how we go."
With Kepa Arrizabalaga suffering a nosedive in form and confidence, 39-year old Willy Caballero has started both of Chelsea's games in the last week against Barnsley and West Brom.
Kepa watched Saturday's 3-3 draw with West Brom from the bench on Saturday.
And with a week to go until the transfer window closes, Lampard was asked if the world record goalkeeper had played his final game for the club, "I certainly won’t go along the point that he has played his last game for Chelsea.
"I think it has been a difficult time for Kepa. It has been well documented, I know it and he knows it. But we should certainly not jump to that conclusion.
“Also I think, which I have felt quite strongly about in the last week, is understanding he is a young man and a lot of the spotlight on him I think has become slightly unfair.
"I have to protect him because I know he is a good lad. Playing with absolute professionalism to do the best that he can, as all the squad have to."
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has all-but conceded Tuesday's 3rd round tie due to his prioritising of the UEFA Europa League.
His Chelsea counterpart feels all teams have a similar load to bear, "I know it is a busy time for Tottenham with the Europa League, it is a busy time for us all.
"They had a free midweek last week, we didn’t, but they have a busy week this week.
“But when I analyse Tottenham and the squad that they have and what team they might have, and the players who didn’t play 90 minutes yesterday, they have a fantastic squad.
“I know that whatever team Jose puts out they will be very strong.
“We all know the Carabao Cup for teams like ourselves and Tottenham, teams challenging for top four and Champions League, like we are, then the Carabao Cup does have its place.
“But we certainly respect it and every tournament we go in then we want to win.”
