This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is facing a baptism of fire in his first season at the club, and his team's 1-1 draw against Leicester on Sunday was a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
Lampard's side took an early lead through Mason Mount's first goal for Chelsea, but Leicester's Wilfred Ndidi equalized in the second half, and the Blues were unable to capitalize on their early dominance.
"The first 25 minutes was how we want to play and the rest of it wasn't. We left far too many spaces. That was a disappointing thing for me that we couldn't sustain the early part of the game," Lampard said.
Lampard acknowledged that fatigue was a factor in Chelsea's collapse, particularly after their draining penalty shoot-out defeat against Liverpool in the European Super Cup on Wednesday.
"I hate the tiredness excuse but it has to be a factor in the second half. I feel for the players on that," he said.
Lampard also emphasized the need for his team to show more "personality" and to be tougher in their game management, citing the need to be better on the ball and to minimize their running.
With just one year of managerial experience at second-tier Derby last season, Lampard knows he is facing a tough test with Chelsea, who are currently under a transfer ban and have lost key players like Eden Hazard.
