Frank Lampard has attempted to rouse his players before they face Real Madrid by telling them that Chelsea’s shock Champions League triumph in 2012 came at the end of his worst season at the club.
Lampard has repeatedly batted away questions linking his new temporary role with Roberto Di Matteo taking over as caretaker manager 11 years ago and helping Chelsea to defy the odds by becoming European champions for the first time in their history. However, the midfielder Enzo Fernández has revealed that the club’s interim head coach made sure to reference his playing career during a speech with his new squad. Lampard, who faces a challenge to revive Chelsea following last week’s dismissal of Graham Potter, did not get on with André Villas-Boas before the Portuguese coach was replaced by Di Matteo midway through the 2011-12 season.
“Frank talked with the group a bit and he told us to keep our heads straight,” Fernández said. “Chelsea is a club with a huge history. He told us he won the Champions League in 2012 and he mentioned it was in his worst moment at Chelsea. A great example for us.”
Chelsea, who have been boosted by Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kanté and Mason Mount regaining fitness and travelling to Spain, will be underdogs when they play the first leg of their quarter-final against Madrid. But Lampard believes his side can answer doubts over their character at the Bernabéu. “A quarter-final is an occasion and we have to play the occasion because levels go up at this point in the competition,” the 44-year-old said. “But we have to come here with the belief that we can perform under that pressure.
“We have to follow the idea because in a high-level game the biggest thing can sometimes be the mentality – following through with what the idea is under pressure. At this level you have to be spot on with our game to take it back to Stamford Bridge in front of our supporters.”
Lampard’s squad contains a lot of young players. “I think you can only become a leader in action,” he said. “There is no point in being called a leader until you do it on the pitch. We have a lot of players who have a lot of titles so we can’t call ourselves completely young. Games like tomorrow are a great chance to perform and show personality.
“It’s normal in a season where a club like us falls below the levels we want, the character gets questioned. The only thing the players can do is prove it on the pitch. People can view it where they can see it. You can talk as much as you want but the players have to show it on the pitch.
“I’m absolutely not questioning the fact they have a lot of character because I’ve seen the dressing room and understand football. There is character. Nobody wants to not win football matches. But sometimes players can take a hit on confidence and sometimes a lack of confidence can look like a lack of character.”
Chelsea, who lost against Madrid at this stage last year, should be stronger with Kanté fit again. “N’Golo is a special player,” Lampard said. “It’s a positive that he’s back.”
Ben Chilwell has signed a new contract until 2027. The Chelsea left-back has been linked with Manchester City.
