Frank Lampard says Chelsea will “play for pride” for the remainder of their dismal Premier League campaign but insists his side have not given thought to their potential role as kingmakers at both ends of the table.
The Blues, who are currently 11th after halting a six-game losing streak with last weekend’s win at Bournemouth, have little to play for across their final four League matches, but their results could yet have a huge say in the races for the title, the top four and survival.
The Blues host struggling Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge this weekend, with Steve Cooper’s side just three points clear of the bottom three, and then travel to leaders Manchester City next Sunday, with Lampard the last visiting manager to pick up a point at the Etihad after his Everton side drew there on New Year’s Eve.
Chelsea then round off their season with back-to-back games against Newcastle and Manchester United, with both teams trying to hold off a resurgent Liverpool in the battle for Champions League qualification.
"Not in that context,” Lampard said, when asked if he had discussed the situation with his players. “We play for pride in every game no matter what the consequences for anybody else. It’s our consequences that we are concerned about.”
Victory over Forest this weekend would be a significant dent to the survival hopes of Steve Cooper’s side, who still have to host Arsenal in their final home game of the season next week.
A Chelsea win would also do a favour to Lampard’s former club Everton, who are a place lower in 17th and have the daunting task of taking on City on Sunday.
“Everton’s fate is in their own hands at this point,” Lampard said. “It’s not in my concerns. I lived that life last year and I have a lot of connection to the club and the year that I had there was a real enjoyable time for me.
“As much as I’ll support them from afar, it’s not in my concern as Chelsea manager, but of course I hope they get the job done because I know what that feeling is.”
