‘It’s in their hands!’ Frank Lampard is urging his Chelsea players to take ‘personal responsibility’ if they want to emulate the success of rivals Manchester City… as the caretaker manager admits ‘the Premier League is getting tougher’ this’
Frank Lampard has urged his players to value hard work on and off the pitch following their 1-0 defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Chelsea lined up to give City a guard of honor before kick-off after Pep Guardiola’s side were awarded the title last night before top-table rivals Arsenal bowed out at Nottingham Forest.
Ahead of the match, Lampard said he hoped the move would instill ambition in his side, which will finish the season in the bottom half of the table for the first time in 27 years.
‘The only inspiration has to be what it took for City to get to where they are,’ Lampard said when confirming his decision. ‘Lifting the trophy is something to be respected. Understanding why they bring it up is another.’
But after defeat on the road – their fourth at the hands of Man City after an inconvenient draw in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup – Lampard was keen to stress that there can be no half-steps if Chelsea are to emulate their title-winning opponent.
Frank Lampard had some sad words for his Chelsea side after the defeat at Man City
Before kick-off the visitors lined up in a guard of honor after City were annoited champions
‘I don’t think they need to do a guard of honor to understand,’ began the guardian’s master.
‘Manchester City haven’t won three [Premier League titles] in a row by half intensity. They had to work and work and work. The players must understand that.
‘They have to take personal responsibility and say: “I want to be [Erling] Haaland or [Kevin] De Bruyne, I have to put in the work they have.”
‘It’s something they have to work on. It is in their hands. I can’t say how long it took.
‘It’s up to the players and the direction of the club. This Premier League is getting tough.’
As a player, Lampard won the Premier League twice with the Blues, but as a manager, his second spell at Stamford Bridge came under scrutiny.
Chelsea were largely overpowered by Man City’s B team as the celebrations started early at the Etihad
After being appointed interim boss in April following the sacking of Graham Potter, and ultimately his assistant Bruno Saltor, Lampard lost his first six matches in charge in the worst start for a manager in the club’s history.
The run was halted by a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, but Chelsea have claimed just four points since early April and currently sit 12th in the table.
The Blues legend was only contracted to lead the west London club until the end of the season before his likely successor, Mauricio Pochettino, was appointed with the aim of overhauling the squad after a dismal season.
Condemned to a bottom-half finish, Chelsea could even overtake Crystal Palace to sit just one point above them in 11th, should they beat Manchester United and Newcastle in their final two matches of the season, as they have a game in hand in hand with their London rivals.
News/Image Sources: Daily Mail
