Lampard grateful for Ranieri influence
Frank Lampard has thanked Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri for helping him to become a better all-round player.
England midfielder Lampard revealed how Ranieri had kept on at him to improve the defensive side of his game since he moved to Stamford Bridge from West Ham, and he believes it has paid off.
'I remember when I first met the boss he said he was happy with my attacking game and wanted to improve the defensive side,' said Lampard.
'For two years he has kept on at me about defensive duties and I appreciate that and I am a lot more aware of them than I was as a West Ham player.
'It makes your whole game stronger. Something Claudio said - which I didn't realise at first but now I believe is true - is that if you go a few less times during a game into the opposition area it is more of a surprise to them.
'If you can show the quality when you get into those areas, that is what makes the best players dangerous. The best in the world, the likes of Michael Ballack, when they arrive they show real quality and that is something I have tried to add to my game.'
Lampard is expected to play in tonight's Champions League Group G clash at home to Turkish side Besiktas, and he played down reports he was upset at his omission from the starting line-up against Sparta Prague a fortnight ago.
He said: 'I would never take for granted that I am going to be picked every week, especially with the squad we have now. I would like to think the fact I played regularly last season was down to my performances and the fact the manager trusts me.
'This year is more difficult and people make a big deal if you are left out of one game.
'But everyone at Chelsea understands the situation - players whatever their name or calibre are going to be rested or changed for the system regularly, and I just hope I can play a big part.
'A big deal was made when I was left out of the starting line-up in Prague but that was not quite the case.
'It is fair to say I was disappointed, but the manager would expect that, and in the next couple of games I really wanted to be on my game to show what I could do because I want to play in Champions League games as well as Premier League games.
'When you spend £100million on players there are some people who wait for you to fall down, but we have used that as an incentive to make us stronger and we are more determined not to fail.'
Manager Ranieri has a full strength squad to choose from, although Emmanuel Petit is carrying a slight knock on his knee.
__________________
si vis pacem para bellum
|
Linear Mode
