‘I do not need a pat on the back from owner’

Frank Lampard insists that he feels the backing of Roman Abramovich even though the Chelsea owner has not congratulated him for qualifying for the Champions League or wished him well for today.

Lampard has already exceeded expectations during his first year in charge of Chelsea and can secure his first trophy in management by beating Arsenal at Wembley in the FA Cup final.

Having not heard from Abramovich, who has been absent from competitive Chelsea games for more than two years because of a visa row, Lampard is adamant that he does not need a pat on the back to feel supported. “We haven’t been in touch and there’s nothing in that,” Lampard said. “I don’t need a phone call or a message, or recognition, because my job when we come fourth is to think about how we come higher than fourth next year and close the gap.

“I’m a big boy and I know there are demands. I’m obsessed about how we try to get to where we want to be. I don’t need those calls, but I’ll be there if they’re to be had. It will be similar whatever the result will be against Arsenal, my job is to think, ‘What does the next day look like, and what does next season look like?’

“I feel the support from the owner, I’ve felt it from the moment

I took the job, I felt it for many years as a player, and I am happy if I can try to make him happy. Last Sunday was a step forward in where we are now, and I want to continue making those steps.”

Jose Mourinho remains the only Chelsea manager to complete a full season without winning a trophy and not be sacked by Abramovich, but Lampard does not need to worry about his job if his team lose.

He does, however, recognise the expectation to deliver success and said: “I don’t mind the pressure, I’m so used to it as a player and if you took that pressure away then I would miss it. I understand what comes with that. I put more pressure on myself than anything.”