Frank Lampard’s warning to Chelsea players in 2021 rings true for Coventry City stars now

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Frank Lampard may have got Coventry City firing on all cylinders right now, but he will only have to look back at what happened at Chelsea not so long ago to realise that can all collapse at any moment.

Since Frank Lampard took over at Coventry City just under a year ago, it’s safe to say the Sky Blues have been one of the strongest and most impressive teams in the Championship.

With the momentum under Lampard, Coventry look formidable this year. They’ve brushed aside QPR and Derby County, and earned a hard-fought draw against Norwich City last weekend.

Next up is a crucial Midlands derby against Leicester City. They’re a team that has caused Coventry problems in the past, and Lampard knows all about being on the wrong end of a defeat against the Foxes, too.

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What Frank Lampard said about complacent Chelsea players in 2021

In a post-match interview (via the Guardian) from 2021 after his Chelsea team lost 2-0 away to Leicester City, Lampard said: “I’m not the only manager to be put under this pressure but the good thing for me is I’m good at handling pressure.”

Unfortunately, he clearly didn’t feel like his players were dealing with that pressure, and went as far as to accuse the Blues of becoming complacent.

He added: “The general theme [against Leicester] was slower, more sluggish. It was lacking confidence but also lacking a bit of desire to run. When a team is confident, they look like Leicester. Or like we did a month ago.

“The very clear message to the players is when you’re playing well, if you relax a little bit, then this game kicks you right up the backside.

“There are players who are not playing as well as they should be. They are the only ones who can deal with that. How you handle setbacks is what defines you.”

Now, his Coventry City side are yet to lose in the league this season, but that’s exactly why they need to keep their eyes on the ball and not allow that complacency to creep in. The Sky Blues have not beaten Leicester City in 24 years, but perhaps now is the time for that to change?

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Coventry City cannot afford to take their foot off the gas

After forging their way to the Championship play-off semi-finals last season, the natural next step for Coventry is to seriously push for automatic promotion this year.

If not the top two, Coventry certainly have to land in the play-offs again and get to the final if they are to make any real progress.

Coventry dug deep at the weekend to draw with Norwich, proving they have what it takes to grind out results. Indeed, the Sky Blues are very difficult to beat under Lampard.

Lampard is getting plenty of plaudits for the work he’s done at the CBS Arena, but if promotion is not achieved this season, would that be a failed job? We think so.