TIME TO DELIVER Lamps under pressure
The scrutiny is big, that’s why we love the Premier League.
“I’m under no illusions. We want to improve and, first and foremost, I want us to improve – so I don’t mind this pressure.
“Of course, bringing in players that we feel are improvements means we have to show that.
“Now, I have more pressure on me. “Some of the improvement will be up to the individuals themselves and that will be my job too. So if the pressure ramps up, fair enough.”
How long notoriously impatient Abramovich gives Chelsea’s all-time record scorer in charge remains to be seen. But the signs so far have been good. Lampard, who rattled in 211 goals for the club from 2001-14, added: “I was here a long time as a player and know, as the manager, people persistently ask about your relationship with the board, the owner, etc.
“Hopefully, this shows people how we’ve worked together, all of us, in recruitment and scouting.
“We know there’s a big gap going upwards when you look at the performance of Liverpool and Man City in the last couple of years.
“We want to close that gap and signings like Timo
(top) and Ziyech (bottom) are nice statements”.
Securing Champions League football next term would seem a vital step in that direction.
Yet, despite Chelsea still being in charge of their own destiny on that front heading into the last nine games, Lampard expects the FA
Cup quarter-finalists to be pushed all the way.
“Getting into the top four and Champions League is going to be very tough, said the former England ace. “It’s hard to predict how many points you will need.
“We must remain focused on ourselves and not look around too much.
“If we can get the right results, the rest will look after itself.
“But it’s going to be a tough battle because the others have a lot of quality. “In terms of next season, Chelsea always want to be in the Champions League – and players always want to play in it.
“But if not – and you have to be realistic because the competition is strong – then next season we’ll improve and do as well as we can in the competitions we’re in.”