Chelsea stars must 'stand up and show their qualities' in top-four fight, says Frank Lampard

Giuseppe Muro14 July 2020

Frank Lampard has called on Chelsea’s big-name players to show a positive reaction as they bid to bounce back from their setback against Sheffield United and tighten their grip on a Champions League spot.

Lampard was furious after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Bramall Lane and wants a swift turnaround when already-relegated Norwich visit Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Chelsea cannot afford another slip up after Manchester City’s successful appeal against their European ban means fifth place will no longer gain entry to the Champions League next season.

The Blues’ hopes of a top-four finish were boosted last night when Manchester United conceded a 95th-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 with Southampton at Old Trafford.

Leicester also faltered at Bournemouth on Sunday and Lampard wants Chelsea to take advantage as the race for the Champions League looks set to go to the wire.

“The important thing is how we react,” said Lampard. “We have big personalities in the team and they need to stand up and show the qualities they have done for big parts of the season. It is important we do, because we are at the business end.

“I do expect a reaction from the players. We are at a critical stage of the season. We know we have the capabilities in the squad and that is the reason it has got us into third position. Now we need to try to finish the job.”

Lampard said he learned a lot about his players against Sheffield United and is ready to offload under-performers to raise transfer funds for further signings this summer.

Chelsea have already signed Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech for next season and Lampard wants to fund moves for Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, a new centre-back and possibly a new goalkeeper as part of a major squad overhaul.

There are question marks over the futures of Jorginho, Marcos Alonso, Antonio Rudiger and Kepa Arrizabalaga, while Michy Batshuayi and Emerson Palmieri are likely to be offloaded.

Lampard has also called on his players to be more vocal with each other this evening.

Lampard said he could “only hear Sheffield United voices” at Bramall Lane and, speaking ahead of the Norwich game, said: “It something we need to be better at.”

Chelsea have conceded 49 Premier League goals this season — more than any team in the top half of the table — but Lampard said: “That is something that has to improve and is something I feel I know the answers to.”

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