Lampard says Chelsea should rely on old 'spine'

NEWS:FRANK LAMPARD is still committed to Chelsea despite no longer being an automatic choice but he believes the team should rely on its old "spine" rather than build a new foundation as André Villas-Boas wishes.

Lampard scored the late winner in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Wolves on Monday in a rare start for the club. Asked if his future is still at Chelsea Lampard said: “It is, I’m very committed – the thing for me is that it’s much easier when I’m starting games and playing regular matches and 90 minutes to get into the rhythm I’ve found since I’ve been here.

“That’s what I love doing. The boss is the boss. He picks the team. Personally, I think that’s when I’m at my best. I’ll always stay completely behind the cause of Chelsea because that’s me now. Chelsea’s my club.”

Lampard’s deal finishes in the summer of next year but the club has yet to signal whether a fresh contract will be offered. The midfielder also sought to play down stories of a dressing-room revolt.

“We’ve been here before. There’s always a big spotlight on Chelsea,” he said. “When the results go the way they have done people talk that way. It’s very important the big players in the dressingroom stand up.”

Against Wolves, Chelsea appeared to be heading for a disappointing draw when Stephen Ward equalised in the 84th minute before Lampard made one of his signature runs to finish moments before the end. Following the mistake that led to Aston Villa scoring when Chelsea lost 3-1 at the weekend, he said he had seized the opportunity to make amends.

The 33-year-old said: “In terms of this game, I hope I did. But we need those big players like John Terry who was magnificent at the back. The spine of the team is what’s made us what we are over the past seven years. It’s important whether we’re changing the team. Of course, I understand that things change with time.

“But what we’re about is that spine to an extent . . . After a very bad day at the office [against Villa], it was great to get an opportunity to play again and put it right. When you see that amount of fans travel up and sing throughout the game, everyone here with a Chelsea heart deserves that.”

Can Chelsea still win? “I don’t know, it’s a long way but seeing the results that have happened over the past few days you have to be aware that it can happen. I hate to write it off, you are realistic – it would be a very big feat to do it,” Lampard said.

Terry’s representatives, meanwhile, are taking legal advice after a blurry image resembling the Chelsea captain appeared on Gold Flake cigarette packets in India.

Guardian Service