Frank’s plan to survive lockdown is child’s play

CHELSEA manager Frank Lampard has urged parents to keep their children active during the impending lockdown as he fears for their long-term health.

With England set to go into a second coronavirus shutdown hours after Chelsea’s game with Rennes tonight, Lampard revealed his concerns about a lack of physical activity outside of schools, which will remain open.

Football is among the grassroots sports which will be suspended for a month and Lampard, who has three children, said: ‘I do worry. As a parent you can affect it – if you remain active, if you can encourage your child to be active in a safe way, in a park or outside space, that’s a great thing.

‘I would really encourage, if we could, to try and keep kids active if we can so we don’t see a long-term issue later on in these children’s lives.’

The Blues boss (pictured) said he did not want to go against the grain of the government’s message to stay at home but stressed the importance of physical as well as mental health for youngsters.

‘I would be stupid to jump into a political argument apart from saying if it can be done safely and in a careful way for the children involved, for the parents involved – we know schools have remained open, we have to strive for physical health, for mental health, for parents with children sitting at home – we must strive to do it as much as we can,’ he added.

Lampard also reserved praise for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who faces his former club at Stamford Bridge tonight.

The 28-year-old has kept five clean sheets in six games and Lampard added: ‘It always has to be a collective effort but of course if you come in and perform as he has, he’s made a very, very good start with us, shown his qualities and should take credit alongside others.’