https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/12/10/ frank-lampard-press-conference-ahead-of-everton Lampard updates on Pulisic's condition, explains Ancelotti's influence and assesses early title picture 10 Dec 2020 Frank Lampard has provided an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton, including news of why Christian Pulisic sat out the Champions League draw with Krasnodar in midweek. https://i.imgur.com/T7aZy38.jpg The boss was speaking in his pre-match press conference via video link from Cobham, where he also reflected on the early picture at the top of the Premier League and on the influence of his former manager Carlo Ancelotti, who he pits his wits against this weekend. However, he started with an assessment of who is in contention to feature for the Blues at Goodison Park on Saturday night. 'We're the same as we were in midweek,' revealed Lampard. 'Hakim Ziyech and Callum [Hudson-Odoi] we know are out for around a couple of weeks. 'Christian Pulisic had a tiny bit of awareness off the back of the Leeds game with one of his hamstrings but he's training normally so we should be as we were,' Lampard went on. 'Christian is still a work in progress. I don't want to call this an injury in midweek because if it had been a different type of game then I might have used him. https://i.imgur.com/MKqLkj7.jpg 'We know his abilities and he showed them when he came on against Leeds last week. I just have to find the right way to get the best out of him quickly and consistently.' Lampard was asked about Jorginho's form following the Italian's return to penalty-taking duties on Tuesday night… 'I didn't doubt his ability in taking penalties. It's normal when you take as many for club and country as he does that you can miss. He missed a couple in succession but, as we saw the other night, he's taking penalties for us. He's confident in his style and I'm confident in that too so that's not a problem. 'He's vice-captain of the club and he gives everything whenever he plays and trains, and with how he acts, so I'm delighted with him.' Another Italian, Carlo Ancelotti, was discussed prior to Lampard meeting him in the dugout this weekend… 'I was heavily influenced by him as a player and as a man at the time. He's right at the top when I speak about the managers that I worked with. He's had huge success in his career at various clubs and one-to-one I found him to be a great coach and a great man. I very much look forward at all times to seeing him and speaking with him.' There was talk about whether Chelsea would be involved in a potential title race… 'I don't know. We're happy with where we are but I know there's a long way to go. I don't think it matters too much about the rhetoric right now because the words are not that important at this point. 'For us at Chelsea, it's about how much we keep working and understand that consistency over a season is what wins titles, not matches up to the middle of December.' The boss also answered whether the Blues were ahead of expectations this term… 'It was really hard to have clear expectations because of the variables at the start of the season - the Covid times, pre-season, new signings, some injuries, and I didn't know how that would pan out. The start of the season was slightly false in terms of some of the performances and results, and at the moment we're getting very good performances and results. 'The reality is we're probably somewhere in the middle of that. We need to make sure that consistency is something we find going forward. I'm not sure where we are compared to expectations but I always want more.' With the Champions League group stage now concluded, focus can turn completely to the league for the next few weeks… 'That's why it was very important for us to win our group, get a real confidence boost from that and then put it away until the new year. We can now focus on what is a busy schedule and if you look at our next four games – Everton, Wolves, West Ham and then Arsenal on Boxing Day – you see exactly how challenging that is in a short space of time. 'It's important to focus and it's important for the squad to understand that this Premier League is so tough and unforgiving that if we drop our standards, we won't be where we want to be.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/12/11/ lampard-on-what-is-expected-from-his-players-over-christmas-peri Lampard on what is expected from his players over Christmas period on and off the pitch 11 Dec 2020 With the busy festive fixture schedule looming into view, Frank Lampard has been discussing how he plans to manage his squad through the upcoming period of six matches in three weeks… https://i.imgur.com/Ot6WiUZ.jpg The Blues head to Merseyside tomorrow for a Premier League contest against Everton before games against Wolves, West Ham, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City up to the New Year weekend. It is a relentless programme that will require some adaptation for our new signings, though the boss believes the unusually congested campaign to date has provided his players with plenty of experience in managing lots of matches with little rest. 'We are constantly thinking about the workload because this season has constantly looked like Christmas,' claimed Lampard. 'Every three days we are playing, the players have been away internationally and the breaks haven't been there – that's just fact. The workload is a constant one to review. https://i.imgur.com/QrZSTLm.jpg The focus of training has often been on physical recovery throughout a busy start to the season 'Training is sometimes more recovery than actual work. We have to look across the board at the whole squad to try and make sure we keep all the players at the optimum level. That doesn't change.' For the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva and Hakim Ziyech, all experiencing an English winter for the first time, there will be mental as well as physical tests to overcome. While the prevalence of muscle injuries in the Premier League this season has been widely reported, and attributed to the convoluted schedule, managing the flux between heightened concentration in competitive action and psychologically switching off whenever possible can be just as difficult. 'Mentally it will be a different challenge for them,' Lampard said of the summer arrivals, 'but if you sign up to come to the Premier League, which for me is the greatest league in the world, they have to be ready for that mental challenge. At the minute, I see a squad that is very focused going into this period.' While this festive season is set to retain the feast of football we have become accustomed to over the years, there are many traditional aspects of Christmas 2020 that will be missing due to the ongoing pandemic. Social restrictions will limit contact among friends and family, while the usual work parties have all been cancelled, and Lampard has revealed that will be the case for the Chelsea players as well. Even though the more raucous nights out of his generation may now be a thing of the past, team morale has been harder to foster without being able to relax as a group. https://i.imgur.com/j9ibEYq.jpg A year ago - opportunities to eat together and socialise as a group have been limited this season due to Covid-19 restrictions 'We have new signings this year and a new fresh squad in a way so we have missed the opportunity to go out and have dinner together more often,' continued Lampard. 'It's been one of the tough parts of Covid but it's the same for everybody. The Christmas party thing of yesteryear has pretty much mellowed now anyway. Players are so well followed on social media that some of the parties I might have been involved in back in the day are certainly not happening now! https://i.imgur.com/sTxdpBs.jpg Lampard and his team-mates pictured at a party of Christmas past. Things have changed since then according to the boss, including the fashion thankfully! 'Responsibilities for players is big as role models to the outside, and for their professional careers to do the right thing, particularly when they're playing so frequently over Christmas. They have to live differently to the rest of the public. 'I better read up on the tier system because I think a lot of us have a few doubts about it but I know the basics and the players should do by now. I will have those conversations and reiterate their responsibilities.' -- ＫＴＢＦＦＨ --

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