This archive report was first published on 14 July 2020.
July 1, 2020, was a day Chelsea manager Frank Lampard would not soon forget. His team had just lost 3-0 at Sheffield United, and the empty stadium was filled with the voices of the opposition. It was a harsh reminder that his players needed to step up and take more responsibility on the pitch.
Lampard, known for his no-nonsense approach, was clear in his assessment of the situation. 'When you talk about players, it's easy and natural to look at talent, but you also have to look at attitude and character within the team. It's something that we can improve,' he told reporters ahead of Tuesday's game against Norwich City.
He emphasized that younger players can be more vocal and can grow as they go along, while older players can take on the responsibility of helping the team during critical times. 'The main thing is that you can be as quiet as you want off the pitch... but they must come out of that on the pitch, they must demand the ball, otherwise the game can pass you by,' Lampard added.
With a top-four finish and a Champions League spot on the line, Lampard expects his players to react positively and take the necessary steps to improve. 'The important thing now is how we react and I expect that from the players,' he said.
