Frank Lampard
A surreal day, how did you feel your players dealt with that?
“They dealt with it well, it’s different. To respect what Manchester City have going on, they deserve it. My thing to the players, the challenge was to focus on our job, the game. We needed to show a performance today. Everyone is watching, we’re Chelsea, everyone will be commenting on what the season looked like from the beginning until now. I thought they equipped themselves very well today. We said before the game we needed intensity, we needed to show that we had a responsibility to come here and play. I think the first 15 minutes was frustrating because we didn’t play like we said we would. Once we were one down and the game kicked in and we realised we could play into Enzo and Ruben, play through the lines and switch the play, be brave on the ball, the game opened up for us and we contested in the game and probably deserved a draw.”
Was Lewis Hall’s performance a real positive?
“Yeah, I thought Lewis did really well. I know he played well at City earlier in the year and I think against Mahrez, one of the best wingers in the league, one v one, he joined in. He gets his chance at the top end of the pitch.
“He’s a good player Lewis, he’s a good player and I thought he did really well. Amongst some other individuals in the game that did well. I liked midfield, I thought Ruben was really good, level of game to come in and show those lovely attributes he’s got, you can see he moves with the ball.
“Enzo’s attitude was great, across the back, I know we made a mistake for the goal but once we got to grips with the problems between the lines, and we went in and stayed in. Trevoh and Wesley and Thiago knows the game anyway, I thought you could see the progress in performance, progress in attitude and approach to the game, doing your job right. A small step, we lose the game, but I was pleased with that.”
Is Lewis at the same level as the other academy graduates?
We certainly rate him. Joe and Andy, who work with me, have a better understanding of him as a lad and all those things are important as well. He’s a quiet lad, the first thing that I’ve seen, he definitely needs to come out of himself a little bit more. I’m not asking him to change his personality but in footballing terms to effect people around him.
“In terms of quality on the ball, that’s really clear. In terms of quality, if you see him with the ball and the things he can do, he’s got the levels, he’s obviously got to add to that as he goes along. Another academy one that we’ve produced and it will be good to see him in regular games at this level to be tested more but he’s shown he can do that.”
Are Man City too dominant in the Premier League?
“I don’t know. It’s a good question. They’re outstanding and they’ve shown to be outstanding that’s why they are on for a possible treble and their level of play for the last two months has been outstanding.
“I think they set a benchmark that has pulled them apart. They’re winning the league, Arsenal a few weeks ago looked like they might win the league, I don’t think we’re there yet but I don’t want take anything away from what they’ve done.
“They’ve built this over years. Incredible vision of the club. I worked here for a year, I understand the people at the top and how well organised it is and they’ve brought in a great coach and so many great players so they are the benchmark. I don’t think worth telling anymore about the future, I’ve just respected them and given them credit today for winning the title.”
Balance of keeping Carney with the team but feeling for him not going to the World Cup and not played much?
“Yeah, I was a player for 20 years, it didn’t go my way every time. When you’re a young player you have to wait your time or there are moments where you just have to understand. There’s a lot going on with Carney where he’s been here: I’m not the first manager he hasn’t got loads of minutes under. It’s been a season like that for him. I want to get him minutes because he’s not going to the World Cup but I have to think about my job. I thought he did well when he came on, I know it’s 10, 15 minutes. He will get more minutes I hope in these next two games coming up then he may go to a World Cup after that and next season he can be a fantastic player going forward if he does all of the things he needs to do. I liked his performance.
“I said the other day, it’s a shame he couldn’t go away in a way. He’s a Chelsea player and we need him. He understood that well.”
Sometimes managers want players to feel the pain of the guard of honour, do you hope yours can take something away from it?
“They’ve seen it at first glance but I don’t think they should guard of honour or arrive here today to understand what comes with it. Man City have not won three in a row through trotting out at half intensity and just going through the week. They work and work and work. Pep’s work in terms of changing the team to keep moving it forward, everyone involved gets to this level where you’re lifting trophies, there’s a load of work. The players have to understand that every personal responsibility, if you want to get there and be there like Haaland and De Bruyne etc today.
“I need to put in the work that them boys have put in. It’s a nice symbol for them in a way. If you know what I mean by nice; it’s something they need to strive towards but it doesn’t come easy, that would be my advice.”
Do you see this squad achieving down the line? What does the future hold?
“It’s in their hands. I can’t say. I got asked how long will it take, we don’t know. It’s down to the players themselves that we have. For the club it will be down to the direction we take it forward, for the new coach. This Premier League is getting tougher.
“We’ve felt that this year, we’ve felt there are things we need to improve for next year. To get to where Manchester City are, a lot of things have to align so there’s a lot of work to be done. There’s clearly talent in the squad, a lot of young talent in the squad, maybe a lack of stability in the squad, maybe a bit of imbalance in the squad. Those things are maybe club issues and every player has to really get to work to see if they can get us back to where we want to be.”
Would you be willing to stay on as a coach?
“No. A new manager will come in and bring his own coaches, I’m sure.”
