Blue can’t bet against us

AZPILICUETA: CHELSEA HAVE ALWAYS BOUNCED BACK FROM ADVERSITY

CESAR AZPILICUETA believes Chelsea are ready to defy the odds again.

Frank Lampard is in Dublin with his squad having presided over his first game, a 1-1 draw with Bohemians, as Maurizio Sarri’s successor.

With Eden Hazard now at Real Madrid and a transfer ban to contend with, many believe Chelsea will struggle to retain their top-four place. Azpilicueta begs to differ.

The Spaniard has lifted two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and two Europa Leagues in his seven years at Stamford Bridge.

And Chelsea have an early chance to add another one to their trophy cabinet on August when they face European champions Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup.

“We’re not going to win anything thinking about the past, complaining,” said Azpilicueta.

“We have a great chance starting in less than six weeks to win a European trophy again.

“Since I came here we’ve had people leave every season – like Lampard, like Terry, Drogba, Ashley Cole, Petr Cech.

“We knew to replicate all the success the great players in the past had would be difficult. But every year we’ve had the chance to bring trophies back to the Bridge.

“We’ve been doing that quite well and sometimes we could have done better.

“Now we have something unusual, the transfer ban, which gives a chance for a lot of young players, and players coming back from loan. Sarri is gone – it was his choice – and now we have to move on.”

Concerns have been expressed Lampard is too young and inexperienced to take on the task of attempting to lead Chelsea back to the top.

But Azpilicueta backed his former team-mate, maintaining the ex-england midfielder is already respected as the boss in the dress14 ing room. The Blues’ captain added: “He is our boss and we follow him. We are delighted to have him as a manager.

“His experience as manager is one year in Derby but the whole experience he has as a player, playing at the highest level, under a lot of very good managers, his personality, behaviour and experience – there is nothing to be worried about.

“I’m sure he will embrace his desire, passion and this chance to be manager of Chelsea.

“The club loves him and the fans love him. All of the club, we are very excited and the only way we can carry it on is by winning together, getting the feeling back of being all together as a club.

“I could see in training this week the way he wants to play, wants us to feel the shirt, wants us to train every day is something special.”