Newsletter

Mikel Oyarzabal at Manchester United, Samuel Umtiti at Arsenal

Frank Lampard has admitted that his Chelsea team looks “nervous” as the first four battles intensify and the business end of the Premier League season is here.

[ MORE: New PL TV schedule ]

A young Chelsea team worked 1-0 against Norwich City already demoted on Tuesday to bring them to third place ahead of the last two games of the season.

Speaking to our Sky Sports partners after the close win for Chelsea, Lampard admitted that the first four games will fall to the mat.

“It is difficult to call. We know that our games are difficult, but everyone else has difficult games. This is the Premier League and it’s not easy, “Lampard said.” We take our three points, focus on ourselves, we can sit and watch the other teams this week and focus on our FA Cup semifinal at the weekend [against Manchester United]but of course there is still work to be done.

“There’s a nervous feeling for understandable reasons, so I’m happy. We went a little slow for about 10 to 15 minutes in the second half. So we started moving the ball again and today there was a bit of personality in our game, but we can improve. “

[[[[VIDEO: Highlights of the Premier League ]

Chelsea will make a trip to Liverpool next week and a home game against the Wolves on the last day of the season and they know that four points out of these two games will mark Champions League qualification.

Lampard was asked if it is now a “bottle” and to hold the nerve to cross the line.

“I keep talking about mentality and I don’t like the word bottle too much, but when you come across Liverpool away and Wolves at home, they are just two really good opponents,” said Lampard. “We just have to focus on those games, one by one. Prepare yourself well. Show the right attitude. I thought we showed it today in a way. Those two games will look completely different than tonight. But rather than talking about the bottle , I want to talk about concentration and attitude and hopefully we will have enough to overcome. It will be tough. “

With Chelsea now sitting and watching Leicester City and Manchester United both play twice before playing again in the Premier League, Lampard has revealed that he and his players are keeping an eye on the other results, just like Man United losing points at late home against Southampton on Monday.

“I didn’t actually talk to them today because I mentioned other games around us. We have all seen the game. I don’t have to say anything. We know if a team around you has a time like what you want to capitalize on, “Lampard said.” We couldn’t do it at other times of the season. All I wanted to do was make sure we did our job. I felt tonight it concerned us, against a team that has just been demoted, with all due respect, here at home, if we do our job the right way we get the three points. “

It will be tough and tight in the first four battles and Lampard will have to rally his young team for two tough tests in the lead as they attempt to cross the line.

If Chelsea qualify for the Champions League this season, it will be far ahead of where people thought it would be when Lampard took the lead last summer.

Given their transfer ban, Eden Hazard leaving and a myriad of youngsters who all played together in their first season in the Premier League together, it’s safe to say that going in the last few weeks of the season was a success.

However, Chelsea have slipped enough times this season under Lampard to justify that “nervous” feeling that spreads around Stamford Bridge.

Follow @JPW_NBCSports

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending