Man Utd vs Chelsea press conference: Lampard issues squad update
24 MAY 2023
Chelsea’s three England internationals who have missed recent games due to injury will not return in time for Thursday night’s match at Old Trafford.
None of Chelsea’s three England internationals who missed recent games due to injury return in time for Thursday night’s match at Old Trafford.
As he prepares the squad for the final away game of the season and the penultimate match overall, Lampard gave the injury update at the media conference held at Cobham on Wednesday afternoon.
‘Mason, Reece and Chilly won’t make the game, Benoit Badiashile we know is out,’ said Lampard. ‘Joao [Felix] had a small injury at the weekend and he is back involved.’
It was announced early in the week that Benoit Badiashile is out for a period of time due to a hamstring injury.
‘It’s a big blow for him and I am disappointed for him,’ lamented Lampard. ‘He has come here and impressed and the games just before he got injured I was very happy with him. He is going to be a good player for this club. It is an unfortunate, complicated injury. It is months rather than weeks. I hope for him that the timing of it over the summer, means that he won’t miss games and he will come back stronger.’
While Lampard was speaking, the England international squad for two Euro 2024 qualifiers next month was named. Conor Gallagher is in it but as well as the injured Mount, James and Chilwell, Raheem Sterling is not included.
‘I don’t know the exact details of the conversations between Raheem and Gareth [Southgate],’ Lampard said.
‘All I do know is that Raheem is a top-level player who has played for England for a lot of time. From my personal memories of playing for England for years, I know that sometimes these games at the end of the season are different challenges for individuals who have played a lot of games and a lot of minutes, so if there is a mutual conversation between the two of them then I am sure they will find the right outcome - the best for England and the best for Raheem.’
== Good mentality needed versus Man United ==
‘It is a similar situation to approaching playing Manchester City, albeit they had won the league the night before,’ explained the caretaker manager.
‘They [Man United] are a high-level team so it is the same point from where I approached going into the City game, and how the players approach it more importantly.
‘People think we have not got much on the game and the players have to show them there is, in terms of their personal and collective approach to it. We will have to go there with a good mentality as they are fighting for something we have fought for for many years, and now we are not in that position, so players need to show.’
== Man Utd vs Chelsea injury list ==
Marc Cucurella, Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante have all been missing in recent weeks. Armando Broja remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation from cruciate ligament damage.
Manchester United will be without Phil Jones, Marcel Sabitzer and Donny van de Beek, all due to knee injuries, while Lisandro Martinez is also expected to be sit out with an ankle problem. Marcus Rashford could return after missing their last match through illness.
== Man Utd vs Chelsea suspension ==
There are no suspensions for either side in this match.
As Chelsea have now surpassed 32 games in the Premier League this season, it is no longer possible for players to be suspended due to the number of accumulated yellow cards in 2022/23. However, bans will still be issued for players who are sent off in the competition.
== Man United vs Chelsea referee and VAR ==
Referee: Stuart Attwell
VAR: Michael Salisbury
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Lampard on how Enzo will be central to Chelsea's future
25 MAY 2023
Frank Lampard has explained why he is so excited by Enzo Fernandez's potential, believing we have only seen a portion of what the midfielder can bring to Chelsea so far due to tactical requirements.
Enzo has been in the starting line-up for all nine games since Frank Lampard returned to Chelsea as caretaker manager in early April, quickly becoming a key player in the side despite only joining the club himself in January, and having no prior experience of playing in the Premier League, after only moving to Europe with Benfica last summer.
However, in the relatively short time they have been working together, Lampard has seen enough to be deeply impressed with a player aged just 22 and the way he has adapted to life with the Blues.
‘Enzo gets it,’ said Lampard. ‘He gets what’s required in training, he gets what’s required to be a Chelsea player, he’s got a high talent himself. Some players just get it. When you work with someone you understand it pretty quickly and he gets it.
‘With Enzo I’ve been impressed with him as a player, his attitude to training, his attitude to games, his determination and something about him, when he doesn’t speak the language much at all, but he’s learning fast.’
Of course, it has not been the easiest of starts to life at Stamford Bridge for Enzo, arriving during a difficult campaign for the team on the pitch, but that hasn’t stopped Lampard from being convinced there are big things ahead for the Argentine international.
‘I’ve got a lot of faith that Enzo will be a big part of what happens here in the future of the club,’ he said. ‘So I feel for him a little bit that he has come in at this time, but I don’t feel for him that much because he’s had a massive move to the Premier League, he’s won the World Cup. He should be sitting back at the end of this season quite rightly putting his feet up and saying: “what a year”. But in terms of how he can affect the future, I think he’ll be central to the future.’
Lampard also went on to explain one of the reasons he believes so strongly that there is a lot more to come from Enzo at Chelsea, namely that we have rarely seen him operating within his best role in the team to fully utilise his wide array of talents.
Our caretaker manager has a clear view of how the midfielder can be used better and have a larger impact on games, even if other tactical and selection considerations mean it is something Lampard has had to leave for Chelsea to explore in the future.
‘My personal view of Enzo is that he could play in probably all the midfield roles, but I think seeing him train and play and getting a feeling for him, he probably has more to offer than to be a single-six, as much as he can play as a double-six, where he can join into the game more, and play as an eight, and offer the really good attributes he’s got across his game.
‘That’s my personal opinion and I’ve not actually asked him that question, because in my time here it’s been a fact that he’s been the most natural six out of a midfield which doesn’t have so many natural sixes, in my opinion. So that’s where Enzo’s played and fair play to him, he’s never once said to me that’s not for him, because that’s what his attitude’s like, to do the best for the team.
‘But I think going forward he can join into the game a lot more. We saw little bits of it against Manchester City, where he played in the double-six. He ended up slightly higher up the pitch and he’s got a really good eye to play forward.
‘At the minute that’s something we as a team have not been doing enough in my opinion, playing forward and being more direct in our game higher up the pitch, finding passes that really test the opposition. Enzo can play that pass, so being up the pitch is a good thing for him too.’
Whichever role Enzo ends up making his own at Chelsea in the longer term, Lampard seems convinced the 22-year-old will turn out to be a huge success in it. Judging by the player’s progress during his first year in Europe, as well as the four months he has spent with the Blues so far, it would be a brave person who disagrees with him.
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Lampard says special leader Thiago Silva can drive the squad forward
25 MAY 2023
As we approach the end of Thiago Silva’s third season with Chelsea, Frank Lampard describes the important impact the Brazilian has on the team with his leadership qualities, and recalls how he was instantly in awe of the veteran defender when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2020.
Frank Lampard is coaching Thiago Silva at Chelsea for the second time, since returning as caretaker manager in April, having also been in the dug-out when the centre-back signed for the Blues three years ago.
Despite turning 38 years old this season, Thiago Silva continues to defy the passing of time with his incredible longevity, remaining one of the first names on Lampard’s team sheet and frequently wearing the captain’s armband in matches.
However, our caretaker manager long ago stopped being surprised by how the defender continues to thrive at the highest level of the game at his age – although his admiration for it remains as strong as ever – having realised right from the start of Thiago Silva’s Chelsea career that we had our hands on a truly world-class player and professional.
‘It's an amazing achievement physically. I played until 38 or 39 but the last couple of years in the MLS, I started to understand that my body was telling me not to do it anymore,’ said Lampard.
‘So to see someone at centre-back, which I think is probably the hardest position in terms of how you could get exposed at that age. He doesn’t get exposed because of the level of player he is, because of his quick thinking and understanding of the role and covering danger – it’s just amazing.
‘In terms of when I brought him here to the club, it was immediately evident that he was a different level of player, as in a top higher level of player. Possibly not better than I thought, but to work with him was like “wow”.’
Thiago Silva’s individual contribution on the pitch, while seemingly as brilliant as ever in what should be the twilight years of his career, is just one part of what makes the Brazilian such a huge asset to Chelsea, though.
According to Lampard, his influence on the rest of the squad is arguably just as important, being a perfect example of why the best leaders aren’t always the loudest voice in the dressing room. It is those qualities which could be especially vital in helping the team return to the levels expected at Chelsea next season.
‘He’s demanding, to be fair, and that’s a good thing,’ said Lampard. ‘I wouldn’t say he’s the most vocal. Each to their own, personality-wise. Some players would be really vocal in a collective environment, he’s not that, but he’s one of those players that leads by example.
‘So I think players that play next to or with him understand what the levels are and what is required. If you don’t get to them you’ll get a look or a talk or something. He’s not a screamer or shouter, but he certainly is one who demands from people around him and that’s a good thing, because at this level you need players like that.
‘They’re not everywhere, players that can say “this is what I’ve done in my career so listen to what I’ve done because I’m still doing it”.
‘He’s one of the best in the world in his position, looks after himself, has a really good understanding of the game, wants to affect the people around him and I’ve got nothing but praise for the career that Thiago’s had.
‘To see him at this level is an inspiration to all the players that could and should learn a lot from him in terms of how he looks after himself off the pitch and how he approaches training daily and what he demands from his team-mates. That’s something that has to rub off at this club more at the minute. He’s special.’
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以下內容出自 football.london：
Every word Frank Lampard said on Man Utd vs Chelsea, Raheem Sterling, Mount and player exits
By Scott Trotter, Chelsea writer - UPDATED 16:14, 24 MAY 2023
．Does Mount feel like a lost cause, has he played his last game?
A lost cause? I don't know. That's not my answer to make. That's between Mason and the club.
．Why has this season been so disappointing?
I think there's probably a lot to go over to get to the bottom of it because for a club like us that generally has been challenging at the top end of the league, cups, year after year for many years. There have probably been a couple of years where we've come off it at different times. When you are used to that you have to explore every reason and ensure that you don't let those reasons happen again. Some of that in terms of the football and squad is personal, collective responsibility in terms of what happens on the pitch. We have to look at every issue, or the club does, to try and be sure that doesn't happen going forward.
．Feeling outside of the club is next season Chelsea and Liverpool will wake up, is that how you see it?
I don't know that because the Premier League moves on very fast, everyone is moving on and trying to do the same thing and you see the emergence of Newcastle, Brighton and Aston Villa and these teams that are getting themselves in that equation now. My experience of football is that if you switch it off, it's not easy to switch it on. It doesn't always become an overnight remedy. It's not going to be my responsibility but from my experience of being in a consistent performing club for many years, the moments you do switch off become very hard to switch it on. That will be the test next year.
．Players don't always know when it's time to say goodbye, you didn't get that chance, have players had the conversations to get that chance?
Not that I'm aware of and I think I would be aware of that. That would be a conversation between club and player. I had the conversation when I was here but it was after the last game of the season at home. It was a different situation. As far as we stand here now players contracted to the club, who knows what the future lies individually, collectively for everyone but at this moment I'm not aware of that.
．11/20 clubs have changed managers. Is this the most uncertain that football management has been in terms of if not getting things right in months you are out of a job?
Yes... I think the stat that you reeled off says it. Is it a record? I presume it is a record. There are understandable factors to it in terms of the brand of the Premier League and what it means for teams to stay there. I don't think it's viewed that differently now if the first person who receives the blame is the coach. If you understand it when you go into these jobs, it's probably a good thing to understand it but of course there a lots of other factors. I'm not talking about my own position, I'm talking about all of these managers. Anyone that has success will all get used to change and those things. It's clear that it's become that kind of a job and situation and there are many teams that are possibly fighting with expectations that might not be stable. That bit is hard. We are in a very reactionary world anyway. In years gone by the reaction to one, two, three defeats will have been different. Now, we have this explosion very quickly and I think you just have to understand that when you're doing this job.
．You've alternated goalkeepers, are you looking to make more rotation in the next couple of games?
We'll see. I don't think any other manager, regardless of what is on the game is going to declare their team so we'll see.
．What do you want to see against Manchester United?
The usual requirements and the basics which I've spoken about a lot since I've been here. They're not easy to switch on, you have to train and prepare and it has to be like a standard set. Unfortunately we've not met that standard regularly enough. In my time here, one thing I can say is that I've seen some reasons why. In the short term, the two games that are left in three days the players have to reach the standard and level of performance, I think we did at Manchester City. Not easy for the players to approach that game because of what was going on at their end. I thought we deserved more out of the game, the performance had lots to improve but the attitude and the application and all of the basics were good. That's what I expect to see in the last two.
．How have Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart been to work with?
The dialogue has been really good. From the moment this opportunity came up for me I've had really good dialogue. I've been able to get on well with them on a personal and professional level and it's nice to have that communication. It's something when you work in this job, you understand when you don't have that feeling of close communication on the footballing side, you miss it. With Paul and Laurence I've had that in their own way. That's been a good thing and I appreciate that. Obviously they have a big job, they want to bring Chelsea back to where we want to get it to. The responsibility isn't all theirs but they play an important role. I've been impressed by how our interactions have been. I wish them well going forward off the back of this period for me and how they work and operate going forward.
．Do you think Chelsea have the structure above the head coach to build the club back up to the level it was?
Yeah. I think so. When you look at the good models around that have consistency in those areas and decision-making and how the club moves forward, they're generally more succesful clubs. We talk a lot about the Brightons and the Brentfords now, Newcastle, Manchester City, all in different ways but I think there's a real alignment of thinking through the club. Where we are at the minute, that will be the work process to try and see where are we aligned, where do we want to get to and what does it look like. There's a lot of work in that. I think Paul and Laurence have good people in there to do that. Being connected is a big deal and it's hard in the modern well because everything is very reactionary. If you want to go in a certain direction and you don't get any joy for a while then of course people will react to that. This could be for Chelsea, a longer picture than that to try and get a process. Chelsea have to get that right their end but people need to stick with that along the way.
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