But, it was the proper choice, with Barkley putting in a nice screen and linking up with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James.
It’s been another frustrating campaign for the England international this year, with only six Premier League starts to his name and another off the seat.
However, Lampard is expecting that Blues fans may have the ability to find the best of Barkley now after placing injury and off-field issues.
“I love Ross and his personality. He came to me a few weeks ago and he explained to me that it’s just beginning to feel good.
“This is a niggling injury and that he is just beginning to feel released from it. Now was the performance we need from Ross, it had been so positive.
“You saw his caliber on the ball. He seemed confident today. That is a part of Ross’ game you could question from the exterior is how confident is he when things go against him slightly.
He’s an England player, he’s playing for Chelsea and deservedly so. He’s given me a great deal of thinking to do with that functionality now.
“It isn’t easy for all of the midfield there. I’ve had to possess little difficult discussions with pretty much all of them at any stage this season.
“That’s a great thing concerning selection for me and searching for the ideal balance. Various games need different things.
“If everybody is shooting and pushing each other then it isn’t a problem. Ross coming in now and performing like that’s an excellent issue.”
When Barkley first joined the Blues two decades back, he had been trying to recover from a long-term injury, and it has struggled to find a foothold in the starting XI ever since.
However, the Blues boss is eager for Barkley to use this time for a tiny catalyst for moving forward.
“I don’t understand about a brand new start,” Lampard added. “Ross is a fantastic player, he simply needs to train well. He wants to play well, he played well today and he wants to continue like that. “I do have my issues concerning my choice here but I don’t have any winners in terms of that I like more or less.
“He’s a better bloke than that one, no. It’s what works for us.
“Ross was a choice where people may have thought, ‘oh, Ross and Mason Mount in midfield?’ They showed why they ought to be there now.”
