Frank Lampard admits Chelsea's players are in need of a mental boost ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester City.
After a 17-game unbeaten run that saw them touted in some quarters as Premier League title favourites, Chelsea have lost three of their last five games, winning only one.
A 3-1 defeat to Arsenal was a particular low point, and Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa in their last outing on Monday.
Chelsea are tied on 26 points with City, and Lampard said of the match: 'It's significant because it's a game we want to win, against a very good opposition.
'They're always going to be there or thereabouts. To be up there with them even without a decent run of form in the last few games is a plus and an opportunity to win a game against a competitor.
'We come off the back of a few games where we've not been at our best and we've dropped some points.
'We had a really long unbeaten run before that so the league table doesn't look terribly bad when you see that we're very close to the top four positions.
'It's important for us mentally because we need to start winning games regularly. City will be hard to do that against.'
City have had their own difficult moments this season and have been notably absent from the top-four positions but Pep Guardiola's side have won their last three matches.
A coronavirus outbreak at the club had put the fixture in doubt, with City's match against Everton scheduled for last Monday called off, and they will have five players missing at Stamford Bridge.
Guardiola will be relying on the depth of his squad, and Lampard is expecting a very difficult game.
He said: 'I'm confident in us as a team because I know when we play, particularly at Stamford Bridge, we have the opportunity to beat anybody.
'Manchester City are right at the top so, when we beat them 2-1 after restart, it was a difficult game in which we had to suffer at times because they're such a good possession-based team. I know we have to be at our best to win because of the level of opposition.
'In terms of weaknesses, I don't see them. They're a very strong outfit, they're very well managed, they don't concede many and they have lots of threats in attacking areas. If we're at our best then we can make weaknesses against any team.
'We have to keep our energy levels up. We were slow against Arsenal but it need to be quick against Manchester City. We need to be disciplined against them defensively.'
Attention also turns to the January transfer window, and Lampard hinted there is likely to be more movement out of the club than into it.
He said: 'We have a big squad and we'll see if that changes. Are there opportunities for players who aren't playing so much? That will be a conversation between player, club and myself.
'And then we'll see if we can strengthen in the right way, but we're not jumping up and down to do so. My focus this year is purely on work because we have young players.'
Hedabdoruy
0
lost[Crylaugh]
Nesaiknruy_Legend
0
You should be manager instead 😵
Idk it's looking kinda grim at the moment I might have to do a Guus Hiddink 😶
Glorykay
0
with all this, they returned to loosing way
Zupdepsz
0
Jakababa1
0
By doing what? Until he learn to field properly
HaHaHaHa8
0
Chelsea new logo 🤣
Dadaciksz
0
Change that formation
Dadaciksz
1
4 3 3 is not working
Bitdlmtuyz
0
Chelsea players they must be serious when they are in the field they must leave that mentality of being relaxing they must know that what brings them to the field they are relaxing too much
GideonAT
2
Drop your son the one wearing number 19
emabkr42
1
no, man city will win this 🤗
niwiknpy
1
man city 3-chelsea 1,lampard will never win this match
Yaeaelpry
0
it's a game of football, let the best team for the day win. 90min and then we prepare to face another opponent no matter how good or bad the result may turn out. I stand with my club. Blue is the color.
Pikeikmo
0
man city is not your mate so wait for another weekend
hahaha lol
KevinWilliams21
0
Lampard i think you’re talking too much now and running out of words to say and tactics to use
Capeioru
0
If Chelsea lose today, then Lampard will start feeling like Arteta has been recently.
Himeituyz
0
I will prefer u play Werner in top 9 position
Nisdkmosuz
0
man city is not your mate so wait for another weekend
Nisdkmosuz
3
Chelsea will lose again
Butelnopru
1
How is this
[image]
kai out ziyech in
Affancfceh10
0
I had another stroke reading that
lol man😂😂😂
mark_swaps_sides
0
line up must like this,Warner,Abraham,pulisic,ziyeck,kovasic,kante,Gilmour,Alonso,Thiago silver,Rudiger,chiwell,then mendey
abraham and werner don't play well together anymore
PrezMendex1
0
Chelsea right now🙄, if Arsenal can do that to use and pick form, so do we🌝🌝
haydenleeeeee
0
i say this & i continue to say this,once mount is nt in first 11,Chelsea wil win easyly,kai, bench,also tha plm Chelsea players doing is back passes,wasting time,while getting tha ball,expecially Warner,
I had another stroke reading that
haydenleeeeee
2
line up must like this,Warner,Abraham,pulisic,ziyeck,kovasic,kante,Gilmour,Alonso,Thiago silver,Rudiger,chiwell,then mendey
I had a stroke reading that
Fearlesssilass
9
Back to Winning ways please
Nickcherry
1
Please Lampard.we need to follow Arsenal Footsteps and get to winning ways today
that must have been a very hard statement to make [Crylaugh]
lukzlat910
0
We need to go 343 in order to win this game. I'm not at all confident for this one. I have a feeling we can get something out of this but we need to go in with the right approach. City have shown theyee susceptible on the counter so 343 counter attack would be perfect. Give Werner a chance to play off the shoulder against a high line. I'd go with this team personally.
[image]
You should be manager instead 😵
TavaChoo
7
If Werner, Kai and Kepa play tonight, it's a sure win for City 😂😂
TavaChoo
2
I'm worried about Man City. But we will fight and we will win even if we are out with 5 first team players. In Pep we trust
Nosbckstyz
1
line up must like this,Warner,Abraham,pulisic,ziyeck,kovasic,kante,Gilmour,Alonso,Thiago silver,Rudiger,chiwell,then mendey
Nosbckstyz
0
i say this & i continue to say this,once mount is nt in first 11,Chelsea wil win easyly,kai, bench,also tha plm Chelsea players doing is back passes,wasting time,while getting tha ball,expecially Warner,
Clive12
0
we want results not insisting
Ziyech10
0
bro that's the front line for the best counterattack ever... why play a 3 against man city... let's just continue with a 4-3-3...but keep that front line... we won't have possession so let's just not change things
Excellent bro but city play a ball is open not close so we won’t to be across , setpieces players get a pace and so Lampard get control of this game when we play 4-3-3 we we can’t get out of the ball so we are in big game so we play 3-4-3 that is the nature of game
Cahaeluy
0
That formation will win over Manchester city straight
EmperorTinTin
0
Goalkeepers when see they Werner is about to shoot at goal.
[image]
a common mistake back benchers
TryNuell
0
useless fanbase CFC fan base crap
OwurakuNana
0
u better start wining
Altham DB
0
Chelsea has not lose a match dis year ,,wot a stat😋
[Crylaugh][Crylaugh] mate!!! are u dreaming?
Andy_Mac
2
The pressure is immense on Lampard tonight, more than it ever would be on Guardiola. Pep Guardiola has already achieved a lot at Man City so they will not sack him too soon. Lampard, on the other hand, is a manager of a club renowned for sacking managers too soon and also known for having one of the most impatient and irrational fanbases in the world. Hopefully the players had sufficient time to recover and we will see a strong performance tonight. If we lose at home, then Lampard may not last for too long at the job, I'm afraid.
Princespark6
1
Please Bench Harvert if you want to win What happened to Ziyech, is he not back yet ?
Princespark6
1
Please Lampard.we need to follow Arsenal Footsteps and get to winning ways today
vishnuvpv
3
How is this
Fuwadlnpru
0
Goalkeepers when see they Werner is about to shoot at goal.
[image]
See grammar[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
mgbakwu
0
aftermaths of a debauch
Hoteimnst
3
Roman Sir, please sack him if we don't score and win.
Iamshadow
0
So EPL just wanted the city squad to rest by postponing man city’s last Match so they can be fit enough to beat Chelsea.
can't think anyone more dumber than you
JaiNudin
0
yes need to win or lost the job
pooemnopsy
1
Fans are being so racist towards blacks but do not know that blacks are even the best players at their teams!I know this isn't related to the article,but....#Say no to racism!
[image]
where is my nig neymar
Nesaiknruy_Legend
5
We need to go 343 in order to win this game. I'm not at all confident for this one. I have a feeling we can get something out of this but we need to go in with the right approach. City have shown theyee susceptible on the counter so 343 counter attack would be perfect. Give Werner a chance to play off the shoulder against a high line. I'd go with this team personally.