I think we’re in decent shape
Frank Lampard’s last appearance at Turf Moor was as a substitute for Manchester City during our 1-0 win against them in March 2015, but tomorrow he will be in the manager’s seat for the first time when he brings his Chelsea side to Burnley.
Lampard became a manager in the summer of 2018, guiding Derby County to sixth in the Championship before they missed out on promotion via the play-offs, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in the final. It proved to be his final game in charge of the Rams before he returned to Stamford Bridge to replace Maurizo Sarri at the beginning of July.
He’s made a good start with the club for whom he played almost 650 times and they currently sit in fourth place just two points behind current champions Manchester City who are in second place.
Ahead of his first managerial assignment in East Lancashire, Lampard said of Turf Moor: “It’s a really tough place to go. I respect them completely. They have a very strong way of playing that they know. They’re well drilled, they’re very efficient in how many times they get the ball into the box. The two strikers give you big problems, they’re fantastic the way they play together, whether they’re fit or whoever his choices up front are.
“You have to respect the different strengths of every team, that’s the job. We have had a tight turnaround here (they played and beat Ajax in the Champions League this week ), so it’s been huge on recovery and getting the players fit and ready to go again because it will be a physical battle.
“The most important thing going into the game is how much we look at Burnley, what they can do and what we can do to them. I have watched a lot of their games and they never give an easy game to the opponent. They’re scoring goals. They’re always a difficult game.”
He added: “They are a good side,” and looking at their young players he said: “There’s a group there backed and supported by a very experienced group. Frank has added his feel to it. He has added a sharper edge to how they are performing. I have quite enjoyed what they are attempting to do from the outside looking in. I’m a big supporter of all English/British coaches, not that I have anything against foreign coaches, but just because I think it’s good for the game, and Frank is one of them.
“It’s an interesting mix and, so far, they have been very good. They had a big result in the week, but, against all that, we like what we are doing. We think we are a challenge for teams, particularly at Turf Moor, and our fans certainly play a part in that. So, we look forward to the game.”
Despite the defeat at Leicester last week, our first loss since that Liverpool game, he said: “I think we’re in decent shape. The general level of performance has been good. We went to a team well fancied in Leicester and delivered a very good performance and arguably deserved something from the game.
“There are a lot of positives. Now it’s about continuing what we’re doing, not just on performance but getting results. We’re not naïve enough to know that you have to keep performing like that, especially when you’re coming across sides like Chelsea, a good side in good form.”
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