Frank Lampard blames ‘behind the scenes’ issues for Chelsea’s poor form
The Blues have now lost six from six under the interim boss after falling to defeat against London rivals Arsenal.
Interim Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has suggested that some “behind the scenes” factors are to blame for the club’s poor campaign.
Lampard became the third Blues boss of the season when he took over from Graham Potter in early April. However he has failed to improve the team’s fortunes and Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal was the sixth loss of his six games back at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game at the Emirates Stadium, Lampard suggested that the club’s off-field situation had made success on the pitch hard to come by.
“Chelsea has been a big success for 20 years but at the moment we aren’t in that position,” he said. “In the time I’ve been here it’s clear to see behind the scenes, on the training ground, the reasons why.”
“If you’re going to be a nice team to play against all the time it doesn’t matter where you go. That won’t change overnight but we better get there quickly,” Lampard added.
Lampard slams “passive” Chelsea performance
Chelsea’s season has been devoid of any real ambition since the quarter-final Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. Mired in mid-table obscurity with no chance of securing any European competition, Chelsea’s performances have waned in recent weeks.
After the Arsenal game Lampard called on his side to show more purpose in their play, criticising the “passive” first half showing at the Emirates.
“First half performance not good enough in every way, we were nice to play against, nice off the ball, passive, the things we spoke about before the game we didn’t do,” Lampard said.
“The passive nature of our game you could attribute to many things. The players certainly care. They are low on confidence, but when you play for Chelsea you have to play a certain way even if you are low on confidence,” he added.
Chelsea now have five games remaining of a deeply disappointing season and Lampard admits that it could be difficult to motivate players in the coming weeks. The Blues faithful will be desperate to pick up pints and overtake London rivals Crystal Palace, Fulham and Brentford, but all three clubs are on much better runs of form.
“There is no clear goals in terms of position and that makes it difficult,” Lampard said. “But in my short time here I am becoming more practical, the players that do show they have the motivation will get the improvement in the last five games.”