Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has hit out at critics of Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.
Werner has scored just four goals leading the line for the Blues this term, whilst playmaker Havertz has just one goal and assist.
Following a defeat to Arsenal and draw with Aston Villa, Lampard has sprung to the defence of his summer signings once again, claiming anyone expecting them to perform to their best straight away 'aren't living in the real world'.
He told Sky Sports: "If you think you're going to go an be consistent this year just because you brought in new players who need to settle, and we still have the young players, playing against tough teams in the Premier League every week then you aren't living in the real world.
"The real world has kicked us up the backside in the last two or three weeks over a busy period and we have to show we are stronger than that and come through it."
Lampard explained that some of the top-flight's best players needed time to find their feet after arriving from a foreign league and insisted that they will reap the rewards from their talents in good time.
"Didier in year one certainly wasn't producing the numbers he was throughout his career or having the massive impact, he was still very good," he continued.
"Eden Hazard, I was here for his first year. Hugely talented player, coming in to adapt and within two or three seasons, he is gracing the Premier League at the top, scoring 50% of our goals at times.
"You look at Thierry Henry, Kevin de Bruyne, (Mohamed) Salah, stories everywhere. The spotlight in modern day, with social media, everyone expects it right now, all the variables around it.
"At the minute we have to put that to the side, be patient and we are doing okay by the way as well. The team is improving. I have always believed in hard work and when you have the talent like these lads they just have to stick with it."
