Ex-Chelsea
midfielder Frank Lampard says his former team are unlikely to be overtaken
in the race to win this season's Premier League title.
With 16 games remaining, the Blues are eight points clear of the field and
the 38-year-old told Jamie Carragher, in an interview for the
Daily Mail,
that none of their rivals can match either the consistency or organisation
of the Stamford Bridge side.
Lampard said of Chelsea: "I can't see anyone catching them. They are the
most organised team.
"Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are the difference but you've got to give the
manager (Antonio Conte) a load of credit, too.
"And don't forget Cesar Azpilicueta. He's been brilliant. Costa and Hazard
get the limelight but he's basically a right back and a centre half.
"He is tailor-made for that role. He's probably been player of the season."
Regarding his immediate future, Lampard says he is yet to decide, having
left New York City FC last year after two seasons in the MLS.
"There is a part of me that wants to stay in the game, sometimes I don't
know why, it just feels this is what I do," Lampard said.
"I don't want to leave and think to myself, 'Maybe I should have stayed a
bit longer', I'm dwelling on it, I have turned down a few Premier League
offers.
"But the fact is, after being at Chelsea for so long and a year with
Manchester City, I don't want to get involved in a relegation dogfight.
"I don't mind challenges but there comes a point when you have to take
stock, I understand my weaknesses, it's late January now and to try and get
fit and then get into a team and make a massive impact... I don't feel I
could give enough.
"I just want to make sure I make the right decision. I've appreciated
getting options at 38. If something comes along that floats my boat, who
knows? But nothing has, so we will see."
And Lampard explained that he regrets not enjoying the day-to-day life as a
top footballer more: "When I look back, I didn't enjoy any of the big games.
"I didn't enjoy any of the finals. You enjoy lifting the trophy and the
celebrations. But it was always the next game.
"I had a fear of losing, a fear of what might happen if I had a bad game.
Would I get dropped? Will Liverpool and Manchester United be better than us
next year? I don't remember a lot of stuff in my career.
"I was so focused on being the player I wanted to be. It was stressful
trying to stay on the edge but I knew if I dropped a level, if I got sloppy
in training, I would fall behind.
"There was a point in the middle of my career where I was too driven. I
didn't enjoy it. It's much easier now."
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