https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/11/29/lampard-identifies-key-traits
Lampard identifies key traits
29 Nov 2020
Frank Lampard has highlighted the three things that will be crucial for
victory against Tottenham and making us title contenders over the course
of the season.
https://i.imgur.com/Jaiszf3.jpg
We face a Spurs side that began the weekend top of the table at Stamford
Bridge today knowing a win would see us leapfrog our London rivals.
Our head coach knows all about big matches with high stakes from his
playing career and guided us to victory in both derbies against Tottenham
in last season's Premier League, although we were beaten on penalties by
them in this year's Carabao Cup.
However, he knows that every meeting is a new challenge and will require
two key things from his players against in-form opponents.
'Against Tottenham we had two very good performances last season and won
the games,' said Lampard. 'There are other performances through the year
where we didn't so much. There was a game earlier in the year against
Tottenham where we played very well for half the game, not so well in the
second half.
https://i.imgur.com/CmFQIhi.jpg
Lampard celebrates victory over Tottenham last season
'I'm continually trying to find those improvements in how we prepare for
games, but also aware that every game's different and we meet a Tottenham
team in very, very good form.
'My only feeling for a game of this size against a rival like Tottenham,
is the players must absolutely feel the focus and concentration levels
needed for this game. We will deal with the tactics, we will have a plan
of how we want to work against Tottenham to bring out the best in us, but
focus and concentration, two really simple words, will be huge in a game
at this level.'
The recent form and rise up the table of Chelsea and Tottenham means there
will be even more attention than usual on this derby, with people eager to
judge both teams' potential to mount a lasting title challenge.
However, Lampard says it is far too early to make those judgements, with
title-challenger status something that needs to be earned over the course
of a grueling campaign.
'I keep saying the same thing – there's a long way to go. The thing that
separates the top teams who win titles to the others is consistency.
'So over a short period of games, I don't think it's enough of a period to
say that ourselves or any other teams are up there at the moment, or are
actually going to be title contenders come the end of the season. That's
all still to be proven by us.'
One player who looks set to boost our chances of success considerably is
Hakim Ziyech, following his excellent early performances in a Chelsea
shirt.
He has certainly impressed Lampard too, both in matches and at Cobham, but
our head coach is still confident there is plenty more to come from him as
he continues to settle in England.
'He's made a great impact. I love working with him because he's a player
that trains very well, affects people around him, has great individual
talent, works in the gym, works on his rehab. So I've been absolutely
impressed with him in every sense since he's been at the club and he's
delivered on the pitch and in a short space of time.
https://i.imgur.com/r6TphPT.jpg
Ziyech has made a big impression on Lampard
'I expect more. Hopefully we can all expect more because he's shown real
quality to show that he's become accustomed to the league very quickly.
'These are the reasons I brought him to the club. I thought he could be a
real talent to bring here and someone who brings something different in
his style and the way he plays. So far he's shown that and I expect him to
show more.'