Mauricio Pochettino has fired a huge warning to Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia (Picture: Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino has unleashed a rant about Romeo Lavia’s lack of playing time at Chelsea, insisting ‘it’s not pre-season’ and ‘not charity’, as well as admitting that he has been left ‘annoyed’ over the situation.

The Blues splashed out £58m to sign Lavia from Southampton this summer but the midfielder is still waiting to make his debut amid injury problems and fierce competition in that area of the pitch.

The 19-year-old Belgium international is back in training and is in contention for a place in the squad, though, with Pochettino revealing that Lavia may make his first appearance when the Blues travel to Wolves on Christmas Eve.

But Pochettino has fired a huge warning to Lavia that he must ‘train really hard every day’ due to the size of the squad.

‘Lavia is the same as [Christopher] Nkunku,’ Pochettino said on Friday. ‘After nearly six months, maybe he will be involved with the team.

‘He is doing well but he still needs time for his best form. All of the players after a big period, they are desperate to be involved.

‘Even a message for the player… They cannot make the mistake. They want to be involved but we are competition and the competition is serious.

Mauricio Pochettino insists his players ‘need to train really hard every day’ (Picture: Getty)

‘They need to train really hard every day, because they need to have an impact every time they go onto the pitch. It’s not pre-season games.

‘For many things it is an excuse, for many it is, ‘I want to play, if I cannot play I cannot perform’ – you need to understand, but players need to understand it is not charity to play. We need to win.

‘The environment of the player also are disappointed. I am disappointed to have a player who should be important for us not playing.

‘It’s not because I don’t believe in them. It is too many players are training and playing six months and are more ready them.

‘It’s about the moment, today, who is ready to compete and ready to compete and can add to the team.

‘Maybe I am talking too much but come on, it is annoying me. Not you. People around the player, or the player.

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‘I am disappointed, the club is disappointed it is investing big to perform and score goals, pay the salary every month if you are injured or not performing.

‘Who suffered for the coaches, for the club. It is to get the right balance.’

Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League table after their first 17 games this season, with Pochettino already raising question marks over their top-four hopes.

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‘The competition is serious!’