Frank Lampard has high hopes for the role Raheem Sterling could play before the end of the season and believes he has the pedigree to put in a performance that could set down a marker against Real Madrid. The Blues boss has used him as a standard-bearer across his coaching career and can now rely on the winger to help shape the team moving forward. Lampard plans to have more conversations with Sterling in the coming weeks.
Frank Lampard explained: âI think heâs a fantastic player. Heâs been one of the best wingers in the world for a long time, at times, maybe in some peopleâs opinion, the best. I canât remember how many times Iâve referenced to young wingers when I was here previously at Chelsea, at Derby and Everton actually â watch Raheem Sterling and see why he scores 20 goals a season plus so I have the highest feeling for him in that sense. Iâve spoken to him a little bit in the last couple of days [and] we also have to get the right team structure to make it best for the players and then drive them, and of course Iâve only been here a couple of days, to get the best out of them so Iâll speak to Raheem more. I just think heâs a top player Those things are always kind of like 50/50 for me â getting the right structure for the player and then the player themselves but Raheem has shown what a player he is.â
Real Madrid await for Lampardâs second test as Chelsea boss and he believes it is an occasion in which Sterling can stand up to be counted.
Frank Lampard added: âPossibly, I havenât watched every Chelsea game this season, at times I was obviously doing my thing, but he certainly is a player of a high level and a high competence level and understanding of the game that it wonât faze him. In fact, heâs risen to games like that before in the past so thatâs something weâll obviously rely on in terms of this because some elements of the squad are maybe a bit younger. Raheem has been there and done it and thereâs history of producing.â
In 2012, Chelsea found themselves in a difficult position and under a new manager but managed to force their way to a Champions League trophy. However, this is a collection of players a different place in their journey and a group that Lampard has had little time to get to know. There has been limited time for Lampard to get a feel of his squad or to interact with individuals. However, Lampard has found a degree of familiarity with Chelseaâs owners and directors in Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and he has been impressed with the project, though that may provide little solace in Madrid.
Frank Lampard said: âThereâs a lot to it. Part of that was we parked the bus at the Nou Camp and managed to hang on for our dear lives! There are so many things, fate in different moments. But we did have a huge desire and a big character and a level of talent in the in the group that have been striving for years to win a Champions League, so that one you remember. The one you donât remember is when we got knocked out in the semi-final or the quarter-final by Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge, things like that. So a team and a group will always go through tough moments to get to great and of course now with a team weâre putting together everyone understands that weâre not in that sort of position now. weâre actually in a different position where weâre trying or the club are trying to put something together with great intention. Speaking to the owners and with Laurence and Paul, Iâm really impressed with the intention. So weâre not in that position but we have an opportunity against a fantastic team and we have to attempt to make the most of the opportunity and go there with confidence and go there with a belief because otherwise, as I said, there if you donât turn up⊠and thatâs where weâre at but I think it will be hard to compare [going back] to the original question to previous years gone by.â
