Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says using Christian Pulisic as a false-nine could be an option in the future after Olivier Giroud's mediocre performance in Saturday's loss to West Ham.

Giroud got a rare start up front in the absence of injured star Tammy Abraham, but failed to take his opportunity before being replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi

Pulisic has bagged six goals in his last eight appearances for Chelsea, including in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Valencia, and Lampard is keeping his options open.

"We'll see," Lampard said at Stamford Bridge.

"He's got an ability to run behind the line and to be sharp in central areas, which will naturally get him more goals but I'm not going to say right now that's the solution. We'll see going forward."

On Giroud, Lampard added: "It was a difficult game for him. He didn't get enough of the ball and then the couple of chances he had didn't go in for him.

"It was a tough match for him but he wasn't the only one who came into the team and the performance was slightly off it. It was not the easiest game.

"We train hard. Some players, with the nature of how squads are in the modern game, we have to train hard to be at a level to come in. I wouldn't want to point it to match fitness.

"Michy has had a lot of performances to come on lately and has made a difference in certain games but it was just a choice for this game."