LAMPS IS SET FOUR A BATTLE
THE fight for fourth place in the Premier League has become a six-way struggle.
But the levels of pressure are far greater for Chelsea boss Frank Lampard (above) compared to the rest.
At the start of the season, Chelsea qualifying for the Champions League was seen as an ambitious target. Now, Lampard is expected to secure fourth place and a route to the promised land.
Chelsea’s transfer ban, being forced to play so many youngsters, losing their best player in Eden Hazard… it is remarkable that Lampard has got Chelsea into the position of being favourites to finish fourth.
But that is exactly what they are now, while, for the rest, it would be a bonus to beat Chelsea to the punch.
Sheffield United are having the season of their lives, with Chris Wilder having guided the promoted Blades into fifth, just two points behind Chelsea.
Tottenham were hoping Jose Mourinho (below) would take them back into the top four, but they are seen as outsiders, with an eye on the FA Cup.
Carlo Ancelotti has revived fortunes at Everton, but it would still be a fairytale, as it would be for Wolves who are enjoying another remarkable season under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Then you have Manchester United, who are six points off fourth place and are not expected to make it this season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been charged with overseeing a long-term rebuilding job at Old Trafford, although the notion that United should ever be content with finishing outside the top four seems ridiculous.
But it is all about perception. People do not expect it this season for Solskjaer and United – and yet the goalposts have been moved for Lampard.
Earlier in the season, Chelsea
CHELSEA GAMES TO PLAY
Man United (h) Tottenham (h) B’mouth (a) Everton (h) Aston Villa (a) Man City (h) West Ham (a) RECORD AS CHELSEA BOSS Watford (h) C Palace (a) Sheff United (a) Norwich (h) Liverpool (a) Wolves (h)
were defying the odds. Homegrown kids Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount and Reece James were the feel-good story of the season.
They were scoring goals, winning games and breaking into the England squad, while playing good football and nailing down fourth place. Lampard became his own worst enemy by raising expectation levels.
He even joked that he could remember all the pre-season predictions, and which pundits and journalists had given them any hope of finishing fourth.
Not many, he said. And then something changed. Maybe it was the wobbles in form, dropped points at home, lack of experience or nerves getting to them. Or maybe, much more likely, the transfer ban being overturned for January.
Lampard knew, if he signed players, he would be expected to make top four.
But would big buys block his youngsters and wouldn’t Roman Abramovich then expect them to reach the Champions League?
The Chelsea boss had looked cool, able to deal with the pressure all season, yet suddenly he was feeling the heat – even going public on his frustrations at the club not buying players.
“This is not to talk ourselves down because we’re six points clear in fourth, but now we probably become the underdogs … because the teams around us have strengthened,” said Lampard.
They have slipped up since then, the gap is tighter and there is a different feel in the air at Chelsea. Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester have seemingly got the top three places sewn up, but fourth is very much up for grabs.
From defying the odds, Lampard is now expected to finish fourth. Anything else will be seen as a disappointment. He knows the pressure is on. The chasing pack are enjoying the ride, but, for Lampard, it has swiftly become a hazardous and bumpy road.
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
P W D L F A 25 24 1 0 60 15 25 16 3 6 65 29 25 15 4 6 54 26
Liverpool Man City Leicester
Sheff Utd Tottenham Everton Man Utd
26 25 26 25
10 10 10 9
9 7 6 8
7 28 24 8 40 32 10 34 38 8 36 29
Pts 73 51 49
39 37 36 35