Frank Lampard shockingly admits that Chelsea players aren't physically
prepared for their match against Real Madrid.
Lampard is concerned about the team's level of fitness that he has inherited.
F rank Lampard claims that his Chelsea players are not as physically fit as their Premier League competitors, but he is unable to address the problem due to a shortage of training time.
Since taking over as caretaker manager after Graham Potter left, Lampard has lost three straight games after Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Brighton.
Brighton outran and outperformed 11th-place Chelsea for the most of the game, breaking the Stamford Bridge record for shots on goal by an away team.
Lampard appeared concerned about his team's level of fitness as he discussed how he would work to inspire them ahead of Tuesday's Champions League second leg against Real Madrid.
"At the moment, it has mostly been meetings and conversations rather than training pitch stuff," stated Lampard. Due of the [tiredness] in the legs, the training pitch material was all rather basic and low level.
"Talking to the guys individually is more important. I believe the squad needs some physical work when we do have the opportunity to work. That's crucial, in my opinion, because we aren't currently operating at our limit, which is required at this level.
"For whatever reason, I believe that could be a player capacity issue. No matter how we got there, the issue must be resolved right away.
Lampard went on to say that Chelsea's lack of physical "capacity" is what gives his players the impression that they lack the same competitive zeal as their opponents.
"I think maybe it can be seen as a hunger thing when some players lack confidence," he remarked.
"When you are short a yard, it's only a yard. Or perhaps you make your first touch backwards after receiving the ball because you lack confidence.
"That can occasionally resemble a lack of hunger or enthusiasm, but I don't experience that. The players seem eager to succeed as Chelsea players, in my opinion.
Chelsea is down 2-0 to Real Madrid after last week's opening match in Spain.
A number of fans were seen shouting at co-owner Todd Boehly on Saturday from above the directors' box, illustrating how upset fans are becoming with what they are witnessing on the pitch.
They are upset that their club has considerably declined despite his record-breaking £600 million transfer expenditure this season.
Lampard was obstinate when asked if Chelsea's reputation has suffered this year.
I don't care what they think of us as a club, he declared. I assume that in the early [Roman] Abramovich years, we prevailed despite widespread hatred. We shouldn't, in my opinion, think that.
"We want to work hard to be the team that people respect and know what they can expect from. We are not currently providing that.
