‘A lot needs to align for Chelsea to get to Manchester City level’ – Lampard

PREMIER LEAGUE ‘A lot needs to align for Chelsea to get to Manchester City level’ – Lampard

Kiplagat Sang 22:54 - 21.05.2023

Despite the Saturday loss, the Blues are certain to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has admitted a lot of things have to align if they are to get to the level of Manchester City.

City started their title celebration with a win over the Blues, who could not pick up at least a point despite Pep Guardiola making nine changes and resting regular starters.

"To get to where Man City are a lot of things need to align, so there is a lot of work to be done," Lampard said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

"There is clearly a lot of young talent in the squad. Maybe a bit of instability, maybe a bit of imbalance within the squad. So those things are club issues."

Asked whether he sees a way forward for Chelsea, the interim manager said, "It is in their hands.

"I cannot predict how long it will take. We don't know. It is down to the players themselves; for the club, it is down to the direction they take going forward with a new coach.

"This Premier League is getting tougher. We have felt that this year."

A Julian Alvarez first-half goal is what separated the Citizens and the Blues at the Etihad, and Lampard feels they deserved a draw at least.

"We needed to show a performance today, in my opinion, with everyone watching. I thought they acquitted themselves very well," he stated.

"I said to them before the game, we needed to show intensity and show ourselves that we had a responsibility to play.

"The first 15 minutes were frustrating because we didn't play like we said we would, but then we realized we could play into Enzo [Fernandez] and Ruben [Lofus-Cheek], break lines and switch the play, and be brave on the ball, and then the game opened up for us. We deserved a draw."

The loss at the Etihad means that City have won each of their last six games against Chelsea in all competitions without conceding a single goal.

The Citizens have become just the second team to beat Chelsea four times in a single season, after Manchester United in 2010–11.