Football

Lampard wants silverware to justify ‘strong squad’ claims

Chelsea's English head coach Frank Lampard (C) celebrates at the end of the game during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 5, 2020. - Chelsea won the game 3-1. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard (C) celebrates at the end of the game during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 5, 2020. – Chelsea won the game 3-1. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Frank Lampard continues to kick against insinuations that Chelsea have the strongest squad in the Premier League.
Lampard says such suggestions can only be justified if the side delivers silverware.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp labelled the Blues as favourites to win the title earlier this month on the back of a huge off-season spending spree totalling more than £200million.
Chelsea were top of the table at the time and unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions, but they have since lost 1-0 to Everton to slip down to fifth, three points off the summit.
Lampard however says he does not share Klopp’s sentiments.
“I just don’t see it. I’m not talking down my squad by saying that,” he said.
“Some of the people saying we have the strongest squad were the same people saying we’re no good when we drew 3-3 with West Brom and drew with Southampton.
“The tide has turned quickly. The conversation is pretty irrelevant anyway because it’s only what we do on the pitch that matters.
“But I look around and see strong squads that have been winning things over the last few years and are stable.
“People maybe want to look at the price tag, but some of those are younger players coming to this division to play for the first time and will need time.
“This squad will [improve] and is improving. Strong squads will only be referred to when they win something. When I look around, there are other strong squads, ones that can have the best players in the world sitting on the bench.
“Teams with Champions League winners sitting on their bench. We are not at that level yet.”