The blues boss says the talk of a challenge to the crown is “ridiculous”, but one of his predecessors regards these comments as mind games
Frank Lampard is starting to sound like his Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, says Glenn Hoddle, who has a lot to do with the Blues in a Premier League title race, despite his manager calling the debate “ridiculous”.
With the sizeable investment made during the summer transfer window, Stamford Bridge staff are under pressure to return to the battle for domestic supremacy.
This search has got off to a positive start, with the strange bump in the road struck along the way.
Lampard has tried to contain expectations on a regular basis and the Chelsea legend would like to point out that he is working towards long-term goals in west London.
Hoddle regards such comments as part of the mind games that have become commonplace in modern football. Few bosses are ready to voice their respective teams’ claims for the biggest prizes.
Former blues boss Mourinho, under whom Lampard played with trophies for many years, has made a career by diverting attention from the supposed task at hand.
One of his protégés is now taking a similar approach, with Hoddle believing Chelsea and Tottenham will be there or close by when major honors are awarded in May.
The ex-Blues and Spurs player and coach said that Evening standard When asked about downplaying the title interview from Lampard: “It’s a bit like Jose Mourinho who says Tottenham is like a ‘little pony’ in the race compared to the thoroughbred racehorses. I can see where Frank is from.
“But if there is ever a season someone can get through and win the Premier League, it could be this year. All you have to do is look at the results from last weekend.
“Now Chelsea have brought in Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, they have incredible firepower and they have brought in Thiago Silva and brought in a goalkeeper who seems to have solved their defensive problems.
“I can see why Frank is undercut and yes Liverpool and Manchester City are still favorites but Chelsea and Tottenham have a chance to fight.”
Chelsea suffered a 1-0 loss at Everton in their last game in the Premier League but remain fifth in the table and are just three points behind when it comes to Spurs and Liverpool.