Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has defended leaving Christian Pulisic on the bench for their Champions League defeat to Valencia.

Pulisic was on the bench for Chelsea's Champions League opener at Stamford Bridge, but when Mason Mount came off injured , it was Pedro who Lampard turned to.

Chelsea eventually lost 1-0 thanks to Rodrigo's second-half strike, with Ross Barkley missing a gift of a chance to equalise when his penalty hit the bar .

Asked whether Pulisic was in his thoughts, Chelsea boss Lampard said it was only Pedro's Champions League experience that nudged him ahead in his selection on Tuesday night.

Lampard said of Pulisic: "He is in the plans.

"We have got the squad and the wingers to choose from. With Pedro's experience in the Champions League it was a decision to make, but Christian is well in the plans."