Frank Lampard lifts lid on Chelsea training problem as nightmare run continues
Chelsea lost 4-1 to Manchester United, who secured Champions League qualification at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Joao Felix got a late consolation strike, but only after the Blues crumbled and conceded goals from Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
Speaking after their eighth defeat in 10 appearances as caretaker manager of Chelsea, Lampard admitted his side were not training well enough.
Lampard said: “It’s a question that I think as a professional at the highest level you will be asked in a period of poor form.
“The only way to respond to that is to respond with your performance and that starts with how you work and how you train and how you prepare and if I’m being honest collectively that’s the thing that’s been pretty egregious .
“There are a lot of reasons for that, it’s not just a dig, it’s because sometimes there are variables. It’s been a difficult season, people talk about the size of the squad, very worthwhile things.
“At the same time, in that short period of time, you can see, when a group is training and it’s really together and pushing and pushing each other, then good things are happening and you as an individual are improving. .
“At the moment, that momentum is not there, that’s clear.”
The 44-year-old appeared relaxed despite further disappointment with Erik ten Hag’s side who could show a pattern to develop, adding: “We need to look to the future more positively than it has been this season, that’s for sure.
“I don’t think it’s a comparison because every situation is different and I think we have to go step by step to see the bigger picture rather than a new manager is going to change that.
Another collapse: Chelsea’s sad record in big games continues
/ Chelsea F.C. via Getty Images“I’m not taking anything away from the work that Erik has done, or any top manager because you know that’s part of it. At the same time, there have to be bases, there have to be there are fundamentals.
“I remember when ten Hag came at the start of the season, people were talking about his discipline and his fines and his laws and Ronaldo and this situation.
“Set the standard and the tone for how you move forward. It has nothing to do with the individual, it comes after the event.
“I think those things are probably where the club has had a positive recovery and then sometimes the players and a good structure will do the rest for you.”
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