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Tag: Frank Lampard

  • EPL: How I handle unhappy players – Lampard

    Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has explained how he handles unhappy players.

    Lampard says he has had to come to terms with the majority of his squad being unhappy when missing out on selection, but does not like to focus on it.

    Speaking to the official Chelsea website, Lampard said: “I know that a manager is going to upset 10-15 of his players every week and make decisions that people are going to be unhappy about and scrutinise.

    “I think you just have to accept that as part of it, and I try not to make that the focal point.

    “I try to see the bigger picture and think, if I can be honest and up front with the players – which is not always easy – then the players will respect you in the end, even if they are upset when they’re walking down that corridor.

    “That’s how I felt as a player and I certainly respected the managers who were up front with me, even if they were giving me bad news sometimes.”

  • Lampard calling Chelsea target ‘almost every day’

    Lampard calling Chelsea target ‘almost every day’

    Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has been in regular contact with Napoli star Dries Mertens, according to reports.

    The Belgian is entering the final few months of his contract and has reportedly fallen out with Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis.

    And transfer intermediary Vincenzo Morabito claims Chelsea are desperate to get his signature.

    “Mertens had originally said he wanted to stay at Napoli, but then his lawyer started offering him to various international clubs, meaning something changed between the player and the Azzurri,” Morabito told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

    “I know this because I was working on the Olivier Giroud issue when he was meant to leave Chelsea in January, with a lucrative contract lined up for Mertens.

    “Chelsea have now extended Giroud’s contract as a precaution, but they are very interested in Mertens and Lampard is calling him almost every day. I can see Mertens going to Chelsea.”

  • Lampard angry as Chelsea can’t find buyer for Kepa

    Premier League side Chelsea have not received any interest for out of favour goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

    The Spanish international is no longer wanted at the Stamford Bridge club.

    Manager Frank Lampard has lost faith in Kepa and wants to replace him with someone like Manuel Neuer in the summer.

    But ESPN claims that of all the clubs Chelsea contacted regarding an outgoing transfer for Kepa, none were receptive about making a move.

    The 25-year-old is not a wanted man, especially as the Blues will look to recoup most of the £72 million they paid Athletic Bilbao to sign him in 2018.

    They were desperate to replace Thibaut Courtois at the time and overpaid for Kepa by activating his buyout clause.

  • More trouble for Lampard as Kante faces three weeks out

    More trouble for Lampard as Kante faces three weeks out

    Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is expecting to be without N’Golo Kante for three weeks, while no timescale is being put on Christian Pulisic’s recovery from injury.

    The Blues boss has said ahead of a meeting with Tottenham on Saturday: “N’Golo is not fit, muscle injury. Similar to Arsenal. Hopefully three weeks.

    “Pulisic not fit, no exact date. A difficult injury.

    “Ruben is in the squad. Not fit to start, but in the squad.

    “Andreas went to get a mask and has trained with it. Available for selection.
    “Tammy has trained the last two days. Probably 70%. He is in the squad.

  • Lampard under fire from Chelsea board

    Frank Lampard’s position as Chelsea manager will come under increased threat, if he fails to qualify for the Champions League, the UK Telegraph reports.

    The Blues have won just twice in the Premier League since Christmas Day, losing their grip on fourth place.

    Their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Monday night at Stamford Bridge, now sees Tottenham, Sheffield United and United closing in.

    Chelsea’s senior officials are now starting to raise questions over “Lampard’s management of his squad”.

    They are surprised Lampard refused to recall Kepa Arrizabalagato to the starting line-up for Monday night’s defeat after he was dropped following a series of poor displays.

    Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur, who are managed by former boss Jose Mourinho, this Saturday.

  • Lampard speaks on goalkeeper to start against Man Utd

    Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard, says he has already decided who to start between goalkeepers, Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero when his side take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday.

    Lampard opted to start Caballero ahead of Kepa in Chelsea’s last Premier League 2-2 draw against Leicester City.

    Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Lampard was quoted by Chelsea’s official website as saying: “The reaction from Kepa has been good as I would expect him to train hard and head down.

    “I have not had lots of conversations with him this week and I have decided already who between him and Caballero who to start against [Man United] but you will have to wait to find out.

    “It does not matter how you came to the club, what age you are, what part of your career you’re at.

    “If it did, then I’d have to pick the whole team on how much they cost and it can’t be that way. All the players know that.

    “It is all about how you train every day and how you play on match day. I have to have that competition within the squad.”

  • Chelsea goalkeeper takes action after Lampard snub

    Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, has decided to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge after manager, Frank Lampard dropped him from the Blues’ Premier League 2-2 draw against Leicester City last weekend.

    The Spain international was reportedly ‘shocked’ by Lampard’s decision to drop him against the Foxes.

    According to the UK Sun, Kepa who lost form recently has now decided to work harder in Chelsea’s trainings in a bid to get back his number one position as the Blues’ first-choice goalkeeper.

    Lampard opted to go with Willy Caballero instead of Kepa against Brendan Rodgers’ side.

    Speaking on why he dropped Kepa against Leicester, Lampard said: “It’s a decision I have not taken lightly.

    “It is a decision I have made, and I think with goalkeepers, it is one I don’t take lightly.”

    Lampard is reportedly set to go head-to-head with the club’s board over the future of Kepa.

    Kepa joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao £71.6million in 2018.

  • Lampard in trouble with Chelsea board

    Frank Lampard and the Chelsea board look set to clash over the future of out-of-form goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

    The 25-year-old became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when the Blues splashed out £71.6m to sign him from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, and he was an ever-present under previous manager Maurizio Sarri last season.

    Recently Kepa’s performances have dipped, however, and after he conceded two goals in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal he was dropped for the game against Leicester on Saturday.

    Lampard is said to have seen enough, and wants to sell Kepa in the summer and replace him, with Burnley’s Nick Pope thought to be top of his wishlist along with Crystal Palace’s Vicente Guaita.

    According to Mirror, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, however, is believed to not be happy with the idea of selling Kepa, having personally pushed through the deal to sign him two years ago, and she does not want to make a loss on the player and give up on him so soon.

    It remains to be seen whether Kepa returns to the starting line-up for the huge game against Manchester United on Monday February 17, with his replacement Willy Caballero not exactly covering himself in glory during the 2-2 draw with the Foxes.

  • EPL: Lampard rules out Barkley January exit

    Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has ruled out a January exit for Ross Barkley, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is taking positive steps in his return to fitness.

    Barkley was a regular for Maurizio Sarri last season but has made just six Premier League starts under Lampard, though a foot injury suffered in October ruled him out for almost two months.

    A reunion with David Moyes, who handed him his top-flight debut at Everton in 2011, at West Ham had been touted, but the Blues boss was adamant the England international will not be leaving.

    “There’s no talk here of Ross Barkley going anywhere. He’s our player. I’ve got a lot of faith in Ross. That’s news I heard like everyone else this week,” said Lampard.

  • Frank Lampard speaks on Giroud exit

    Olivier Giroud could leave Chelsea in January, head coach Frank Lampard has confirmed.

    The Frenchman has started just two games this season and is inside the final six months of his Chelsea contract, having joined the Blues from London rivals Arsenal in the 2018 January transfer window.

    The 33-year-old was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s 2-0 FA Cup third round win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and fuelled speculation he is set to leave by appearing to wave goodbye to the Stamford Bridge crowd at the final whistle.

    “There’s no update on Ollie, but I’ve spoken with him,” Lampard said of Giroud.

    “If the conditions are that it’s something he really wants to do and it works for the club, for me and the squad then it’s something that could happen.

    “But only when all of those bases are covered. So we’ll see if we’re there.”