Frank
Lampard says the impressive form of Chelsea and Spurs will add "spice" to
their Sunday showdown, but insists it is too early to be thinking about
winning the title.
Spurs currently top the Premier League while Chelsea are just two points
behind them in third place, which has fuelled talk of a more competitive
title race following three years of dominance by Manchester City and
Liverpool.
Although Lampard agrees with Jose Mourinho's comments that Spurs should
simply focus on their "next match" and nothing more, he does admit that both
sides' league position will make Sunday's fixture - live on Sky Sports -
even more competitive than usual.
He said: "Chelsea-Tottenham is extra special anyway because of the rivalry
between the two teams. I played in the fixture many a time.
"The fact we're in good form and towards the top end of the table adds
spice. We're all fighting for positions so it's a game that remains special
and all eyes will be drawn to it.
"When you're playing rivals then it's always important to try and win those
games and it can be very good for confidence.
"They're playing very well. They obviously beat Manchester City last week
and you can imagine the bounce in confidence that gave them.
"We're early on in the season really in terms of games so we shouldn't get
carried away with our teams. It's good that we're competing high up but
there's such a long way to go. I understand Jose's position and I feel the
same about us."
'Kane and Son will take my record'
Lampard was also keen to highlight the threat that Harry Kane and Heung-Min
Son - who have 26 goals and assists between them in Spurs' nine league games
this season - are likely to pose on Sunday.
Lampard is also ready to hand over the record that he and Didier Drogba hold
as the two players to combine for the most goals in Premier League history.
The pair linked up for 36 strikes during their time together at Stamford
Bridge, but Kane and Son are in second place and are rapidly closing on the
Chelsea duo.
Lampard said: "They're certainly a threat to the record - they're going to
beat that comfortably the way they're going and fair play.
"I've got no qualms about that record. It's something Didier and I are proud
of but this is football and it moves on. Players of their level will always
test that.
"I'm aware of their threats. You look at the numbers they're producing with
their link-up play - that understanding is clear. It's something we have to
be aware of - it's a big strength of theirs.
"With players like Son and Kane, they've worked on that for a good few years
now and we're in the early stages of that. I would love our players to get
those sorts of relationships so they know what each other are doing and have
that level of talent."
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