Frank Lampard has backed Raheem Sterling to rediscover his “best winger in the world” form when Chelsea visit Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The Blues looked to have secured a transfer coup last summer when bringing Sterling to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth around £55million, but the forward has struggled to repay the outlay with goals, scoring just four times in 18 league games.
Sterling was unable to add to that tally on Saturday when he made his first Chelsea start since March 4 as Lampard’s interim tenure got off to a dreadful start, losing 1-0 at relegation-threatened Wolves.
Lampard next takes Chelsea to Santiago Bernabeu to face holders Real Madrid on Wednesday in their Champions League quarter-final first leg, arguably the toughest away trip in Europe, and the caretaker manager is looking to Sterling for help.
“I think he’s a fantastic player,” Lampard said of Sterling. “He’s been one of the best wingers in the world for a long time — at times, maybe in some people’s opinion, the best. I can’t remember how many times I’ve referenced: the wingers when I was here previously, at Derby, and at Everton, have watched Raheem Sterling and see why he scores 20 goals a season plus.
“I’ve spoken to Raheem a little bit over the last couple of days. We also have to get the right team structure to make it best for the players — and then drive them. I’ll speak to Raheem more. I just think he’s a top player. Raheem has shown what a player he is.
“Yeah possibly,” Lampard said, when asked whether Sterling could raise his levels for Chelsea’s visit to Madrid. “I haven’t watched every Chelsea game this season, but he is certainly a player of a high level and a high confidence level. It won’t phase him. In fact, he’s risen to games like that in the past. That’s something we’ll obviously rely on. Some elements of the squad might be a bit younger; Raheem’s been there and done it.”
Lampard responded to suggestions he could inspire Chelsea to Champions League glory in the mold of their unlikely 2012 title, when he captained the side to victory in the final against Bayern Munich under the interim stewardship of Roberto Di Matteo.
“I certainly don’t want to be getting one step ahead of ourselves than I should. We can only focus now on the game on Wednesday, and we know it will be challenging. I don’t think the history has a big effect on it, but I understand the romantic idea. Wouldn’t we all love to see it again? We have to work towards that.”
