Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has warned Manchester United ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash: “I won’t take this game lightly.”
United handed Lampard a cruel lesson on his competitive debut as Chelsea boss – thrashing the Blues 4-0 on the Premier League opening day – but the teams have endured contrasting fortunes in the top-flight since.
Chelsea are seven points and three spots above the Red devils after 10 matches in fourth and have now won seven games in a row across all competitions.
Although Lampard hinted he may make changes for the game, he insisted his team will fight for every trophy in his first year at the club.
“I won’t take this game lightly even if I make changes,” Lampard said.
“If players do step out of the line up with a view to the coming weeks, it’s about the big picture. I understand how players are but those who start will give everything.
“[The 4-0 defeat to United] feels a million miles away but I’m not disregarding it. They hurt us four times in a game we played particularly well in.”
When asked if the Carabao Cup was an ideal trophy to target, Frank Lampard said: “We’ll target them all. It comes earliest in the year and potentially in the quarter-finals early.
“It would [be a big achievement]. A day at Wembley should never be taken lightly. But not just for the young boys – we’ll give it our all.”
It is not just in the Premier League and Carabao Cup where Chelsea have impressed this campaign; the Blues are top of their Champions League group after back-to-back victories over Lille and Ajax.
The 1-0 win over the Dutch team – semi-finalists last season – was secured in the 86th minute by substitute Michy Batshuayi and Lampard is looking for another “game changer” against United.
“When it happens against in Ajax, that’s the great message for players,” he added.
“To keep their spirits up so they can come in and be a game-changer is big. We need a big squad if we are to be successful.”
