Lampard plays down Manchester City’s chances to win EPL
Frank Lampard, the Chelsea star is not convinced that “the Citizens” will be mounting a serious challenge this year, even though they have been busy with transfers throughout the season.
City’s manager Roberto Mancini has brought in Jerome Boateng, Yaya Toure and David Silva, but the Chelsea player is still resolute on the prediction that they would not be a challenge to any of the top four in the English Premier League.
According to a media source, Lampard commented on the matter that Manchester City has the financial stability right now and they are tough to beat, but they still need a good mix to make it work.
As the fact remains that even if the club is backing them financially, it still needs to be seen how they perform this summer.
Lampard on his return to Chelsea expressed that after being knocked out from the World Cup, it is like “a breath of fresh air” to be back at his club. The player now looks to make a dazzling come back in the EPL and is aiming to make the cut for the Champions League.
Lampard is adamant on not letting the World Cup performance in South Africa affect his club’s performance and says that it is exciting to come back to the club and looks forward to the season ahead as they won the double last year and a lot is expected from them.
England is scheduled to play against Hungary at Wembley and this timing has been criticized by most managers as the game is sandwiched between training sessions for the Premiership.
Almost everyone has spoken against the timings of the match with Hungary. Even Lampard believed that there are two arguments. Firstly, it is an obvious hassle playing a national match while trying to prepare for the Premiership. Secondly, the Euro 2012 is well on its way and this practice is very vital as the players get a chance to go play for their country.
Lampard also commented on England’s failed World Cup campaign in South Africa, but repudiated to point out any players. He said that no team that went to South Africa for the World Cup wanted to be knocked out and everyone that got disqualified before the finals feels the same way as England.
He said that we have to look forward to new things and not dwell on the past and have to keep a positive attitude for the future.
Chelsea has lost thrice this pre-season and faces Manchester United in the Community Shield for the curtain raiser.
Lampard recently returned to training and is very optimistic about his fitness levels for the upcoming season. He made fifty appearances last season and had to put himself forward for international duty.
Lampard said that he didn’t have any issues with coming back or with shortening his break and is fixed on getting back in shape as soon as possible.
He confessed that some key players were injured and that was also one of the root causes for their World Cup campaign. But it does not matter now and the important thing is what happens after the season starts.
Lampard confessed that he will strive hard to get the Premier league winner medal again and move to the Champions League.
Chelsea scored a hundred and three goals last season and Chelsea’s competitors would make sure that they don’t do this again.
The blues are also facing hardships in lining up their 25 man squad for the EPL this season. Billionaire boss Roman Abramovich has spent millions on the club and as a result the club has spent more than its income.
This has led Chelsea to receive a warning from the Champions League board. The Blues have been asked them to lower down their expenses or they will be disqualified from the tournament.
In addition to this, the FA has also told Chelsea that they must add at least six new home bred players in their club or they can be thrown out of the EPL. They currently have only 2 home bred players on their team and need to do some massive arrangements.
However, with a smart coach and a star studded team, this should not be a problem for them and spirits seem high for the last year winners.
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