Chelsea lend Lampard a helping hand
FRANK LAMPARD has revealed that Chelsea solved Derby’s training ground dilemma ahead of today’s FA Cup clash at Brighton.
Lampard’s squad have been staying in hotels since Tuesday night, after deciding not to return to the Midlands between Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Ipswich and today’s lunchtime fifth-round encounter in East Sussex. That road trip left them without their regular training base — a logistical issue Lampard navigated by calling on his former club.
They opened the doors at their Cobham HQ to club legend Lampard yesterday, ahead of Derby’s short journey south this morning from a Surrey hotel.
Lampard said: ‘I wanted to stay out of the way and we did stay out of the way, but we had a training pitch to train on.
‘I played at Chelsea for 13 years and I have a few connections there. Practically, we needed a pitch to train on, so we trained there and came back to the hotel.’
Derby are chasing their first FA Cup quarter-final appearance since 1999 and visit Brighton in strong form, having gone six games unbeaten.
Despite the firm pressure on Lampard to deliver at least a play-off place in his first season in management, he has been adamant that a strong Cup run is a priority.
That could even make Derby marginal favourites today against Premier League opposition, with Brighton struggling for form in the top flight.
The Seagulls are just three points above the relegation zone, having won none of their six league games in 2019.
Derby have already knocked Manchester United and Southampton out of cup competitions this season and Lampard said: ‘ The FA Cup, in my opinion, hasn’t lost its magic and it shouldn’t do.
‘The Premier League has gone on to be so important for teams in terms of status, finances and everything, and the Champions League has gone up a lot of levels from when I was younger.
‘ So I understand managers have to prioritise, whether I agree with those decisions or not.
‘I have to do it as well sometimes. But for me it’s made complete sense to have a go at the FA Cup, to try to go as far as we can.’
Lampard is considering deploying Ashley Cole from the bench today, with the seven-time winner of the competition having so far played only two minutes since signing last month.
Lampard said: ‘Ashley’s presence has already improved us off the pitch in the dressing room, with his professionalism and personality. Of course, I want to have him on the pitch as well so we are working on his fitness.
‘His experience will be great if he can play a part. Whether it is the FA Cup or any competition, Ashley Cole is going to be big for us. He’s Ashley Cole.
‘His aura rubs off on the players. When you’re a young player and you look left in the dressing room and there is Ashley Cole, at 38, preparing well, encouraging team- mates on the bench because he’s not match fit yet, working hard in training, it rubs off.’