Lampard gets defensive on Blues’ frailties
Frank Lamp a rd has admitted he must solve Chelsea’ s defensive shortcomings to become a “top coach” at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues boss has insisted he has the ability to solidify his rear-guard in the long-term, despite leaking 54 goals in 37 Premier League matches this term.
Chelsea need just a point against Wolves to seal a top- four finish and Champions League qualification. But the Blues’ instability has proved a blight on the campaign.
Lampard will overhaul his squad this summer, with a left- back and a centre- back among the priorities, and he already knows what changes he wants to make, whether to system or personnel.
“If you want to become a top coach you have to be very aware of all parts of the pitch,” said Lampard.
“Some of the greatest coaches will come from different positions on the pitch, it’s more how aware you are of how you want your team to be collectively, and how you work with them individually.
“And we have a coaching staff which work very hard to be as defensively good as we can be.
“There are mitigating circumstances around that – we’ve conceded too many goals.
“I know a lot of the reasons why, and we need to keep working to get that down when we look at the two domestic games ahead of us and, importantly, when we look to next season.
Chelsea were 3-0 down at half- time at Liverpool on Wednesday, rallied with three goals after the break to make a fist of the tie – but wound up losing 5-3.
Prolific RB Leipzig str iker Timo Wer ner and Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech will bolster Chelsea’s attacking ranks next term, and playmaker Kai Havertz could join from Bayer Leverkusen.
For now, Chelsea will hope the likes of the in-form Christian Pulisic can help seal Champions League football, and then defeat Arsenal in the FA Cup Final.
Whatever the craved defensive improvements, Lampard maintained he will still tell his men to chase victory today – even though a draw would be sufficient for Champions League qualification.
“We’ll approach the game to win the game, I don’t think there’s any other way to approach a game of football,” said Lampard.
“So we’ll do that, prepare right, respect our opponent.
“Wolves are obviously a very good opponent, we’ve seen that all season in the league.
“So, we prepare to try to win the game, we’re aware of the situation, but we try to win.”