Chelsea earned a crucial 2-1 win over Manchester City last night at Stamford Bridge, handing league leaders City their first defeat of the season.
Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas described himself as “very, very happy” with the result, and claimed that Chelsea had got their title bid “back on track” with the win.
Villas-Boas introduced England international midfielder Frank Lampard off the bench in the 73rd minute, and was rewarded nine minutes later when Lampard fired home the winning goal from the penalty spot.
Lampard is a team guy who has made himself a legend at Stamford Bridge, and it was expected he would express his joy after what has a huge result for the Blues.
That is not quite what transpired, and Lampard used his post-match interview to vent his disappointment about his role as a substitute. The England midfielder also suggested he is experiencing a lack of communication from Villas-Boas regarding his status in the squad.
“I want to play, simple as that,” Lampard said after the game to BBC Sport. “I’m as fit as I’ve ever been. I’ve been in a good run of form and now I’ve not been playing.”
Regarding Villas-Boas, Lampard said “I haven’t spoken (to him) so I don’t know (why), simple as that.”
When you look at Lampard’s words, it is fair to assume that the relationship between Villas-Boas and his star midfielder has deteriorated during the last month.
Back on November 13th, Lampard returned from a spell on the bench to score an important goal during a UEFA Champions League 1-1 draw at Valencia. After that game, rather than vent his frustration, Lampard was singing a very different tune.
“You have to respect the manager, respect the team and the quality of the squad we have,” Lampard told BBC Sport.
It is fair to ask that why less than 30 days later Lampard’s feelings are so different?
It is well known that one of the challenges facing Villas-Boas at Stamford Bridge is to truly hold control of a dressing room that includes iconic figures such as Lampard and John Terry.
Spanish midfielder Juan Mata is new to the Chelsea dressing room, but spoke this week of the respect he has for Lampard.
“Lampard is a legend here, a legend who keeps on providing a lot of good to the club,” Mata told BBC Sport. “He is a great presence to have in the dressing room and, for me, he is a standard bearer for the entire world of football.”
With Lampard being held in such high esteem by his teammates, you have to wonder what kind of political problems could arise in the Chelsea dressing room if the star midfielder was to become disgruntled.
Like most problems in football, these issues will go away if Villas-Boas manages to lead the Blues on a winning streak. However, if Chelsea go through another difficult run of results, there could be a few issues that boil over for the Blues, and it is not inconceivable that Lampard could leave.
After all, Villas-Boas is not the only Portuguese Chelsea boss to manage Lampard, and the other one could be very keen on taking him over to Madrid.
Villas-Boas introduced England international midfielder Frank Lampard off the bench in the 73rd minute, and was rewarded nine minutes later when Lampard fired home the winning goal from the penalty spot.
Lampard is a team guy who has made himself a legend at Stamford Bridge, and it was expected he would express his joy after what has a huge result for the Blues.
That is not quite what transpired, and Lampard used his post-match interview to vent his disappointment about his role as a substitute. The England midfielder also suggested he is experiencing a lack of communication from Villas-Boas regarding his status in the squad.
“I want to play, simple as that,” Lampard said after the game to BBC Sport. “I’m as fit as I’ve ever been. I’ve been in a good run of form and now I’ve not been playing.”
Regarding Villas-Boas, Lampard said “I haven’t spoken (to him) so I don’t know (why), simple as that.”
When you look at Lampard’s words, it is fair to assume that the relationship between Villas-Boas and his star midfielder has deteriorated during the last month.
Back on November 13th, Lampard returned from a spell on the bench to score an important goal during a UEFA Champions League 1-1 draw at Valencia. After that game, rather than vent his frustration, Lampard was singing a very different tune.
“You have to respect the manager, respect the team and the quality of the squad we have,” Lampard told BBC Sport.
It is fair to ask that why less than 30 days later Lampard’s feelings are so different?
It is well known that one of the challenges facing Villas-Boas at Stamford Bridge is to truly hold control of a dressing room that includes iconic figures such as Lampard and John Terry.
Spanish midfielder Juan Mata is new to the Chelsea dressing room, but spoke this week of the respect he has for Lampard.
“Lampard is a legend here, a legend who keeps on providing a lot of good to the club,” Mata told BBC Sport. “He is a great presence to have in the dressing room and, for me, he is a standard bearer for the entire world of football.”
With Lampard being held in such high esteem by his teammates, you have to wonder what kind of political problems could arise in the Chelsea dressing room if the star midfielder was to become disgruntled.
Like most problems in football, these issues will go away if Villas-Boas manages to lead the Blues on a winning streak. However, if Chelsea go through another difficult run of results, there could be a few issues that boil over for the Blues, and it is not inconceivable that Lampard could leave.
After all, Villas-Boas is not the only Portuguese Chelsea boss to manage Lampard, and the other one could be very keen on taking him over to Madrid.
