LONDON (AFP) – Frank Lampard (AP, pic below) has urged his Chelsea players to learn from the example set by Manchester City’s treble challenge when the teams meet at the Etihad today.
City will retain the Premier League title and win the first of the three trophies they are chasing this season if they beat Chelsea.
If City take the title, it will be the fifth time in six seasons that Pep Guardiola’s team have been crowned champions of England.
They then have a second Champions League final in three years to come against Italy’s Inter Milan plus the FA Cup final against local rivals Manchester United.
City’s brilliant form was there for all to see with a 4-0 humiliation of European champions Real Madrid on Wednesday, a 17th win in their last 19 games.
Chelsea, once a challenger for major trophies, are currently languishing in 11th place despite co-owner Todd Boehly splashing out some GBP600 million (USD747 million) on transfers during the last 12 months.
Caretaker Chelsea manager Lampard, who may be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, said his side should take heart from City’s work ethic.
“The only inspiration the young players should need is what it’s taken Man City to get where they’ve got,” said Lampard.
“It’s not the moment of lifting the cup, it’s Kevin De Bruyne’s journey, and (Erling) Haaland’s journey, and (Ilkay) Gundogan’s journey, and John Stones’s journey.”
The former Chelsea and England midfielder added: “A player has to understand that the cup-lifting moments are because of all the work done over the years against the odds, whatever it is, how hard they work.
“That team clearly works hard and then when one has to stop working hard the next one steps in and works hard. That’s what the players have to understand.”
