At your unveiling, you mentioned that Frank Lampard had texted you and that maybe you would go to lunch one day. Has there been any communication since, and has that lunch happened?
"No, we've had no lunch. I agree he sent me a very kind, respectful message after I took over at Chelsea that meant a lot. I was a huge fan of him as a player, and he is – and will remain – a legend at our club. This is a given. I was very happy when he wrote me that message, it was very gentlemanly.
"We didn't have the chance to go out and have lunch, and he also took the chance to go and take charge of Everton. He took an assistant from us, Joe Edwards, and were not so happy! Just joking. We will meet some friendly faces [on Sunday] with Joe and Ashley Cole, and Frank, who I have never met in person.
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"I would love to meet him. We need the points, and they need the points urgently as well. It is an exciting week for me personally. I love to play at Old Trafford, and everybody tells me about the atmosphere at Goodison Park, how emotional and how tough it is to play there. These are two nice fixtures, what it is all about. I am excited to go there, and we expect a tough fight."
It's been a while since Saul featured in your side, Thomas, what's his position, and do you think the option in his loan deal is something you will look to take up – if you can – at the end of the season?
"We will talk about it at the end of the season. At the moment, it is a difficult situation for him personally, but I like that he still gives his input. It is like this in team sports that even if it does not make you happy – and I am sure he is not – he is still positive and still pushing, he takes care about the quality in training with the group that doesn't play so much.
"It means a lot to me and the atmosphere in the dressing room that he stays competitive within the group. I don't have a lot of good news for him when I tell him the starting line-up. He needs to stay involved mentally and physically, that is what he does, although it is not easy.
"We are very grateful, we also demand it, but it tells us he is a real sportsman. For the end of the season, now is not the moment, but we still need to fight for qualification for the Champions League and the best possible outcome. We have a final to play. We will talk when it is time."
Reece James was brilliant against Manchester United, do you have gratitude, or does the club have gratitude for bringing through the likes of him and Mason Mount and helping them become established stars?
"I don't know if it is gratitude. I don't think Frank did it to do them a favour. I think every coach does it because it is all about helping the team. It is not about age in any direction. If Thiago (Silva) helps us and can perform, we don't care about how old he is. And we don't care how young somebody is. When you are ready, you are ready.
"I strongly believe you find your way if you have what it takes. I am very grateful for the quality the academy produces and grateful for the culture at Chelsea to push these boys through, and this is top, top quality. It is our job to let them play, to prepare them and push them on this kind of level. This is what Chelsea is about. I am happy for that."
What's the team news ahead of the weekend, do you expect any of the players that missed out against Manchester United to be back involved?
"For sure, Ben Chilwell, no, and for Kova (Mateo Kovacic), it is too early – he has not had a minute in team training so far. he will not come back. Callum Hudson-Odoi as well. Maybe Andreas Christensen, but let's see after he was ill. And the same for Ross Barkley. "Let's wait until the day after tomorrow (Saturday) to see how they feel."
