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Manchester City vs Chelsea: Frank Lampard provides squad update ahead of pulsating tie

Man City are flying high in all competitions and look invincible at the moment, while Chelsea are struggling to even get into the top half of the table.

By Karthik Raman | May 20, 2023 | 3 Min Read

Manchester City are one game away from winning the coveted Premier League title. A win for Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday would be enough to declare them as the league winners. Chelsea now have to make the daunting trip with the hope of preventing Man City from winning league title this weekend. However, it will not be easy for Frank Lampard’s side, as both sides are experiencing contrasting set of forms currently. Man City are flying high in all competitions and look invincible at the moment, while Chelsea are struggling to even get into the top half of the table.

Besides, Man City’s form at the Etihad Stadium has been impressive this season. It will be an extremely difficult task for Chelsea to get something out of that match on Sunday. Ahead of the crucial Premier League contest, Frank Lampard gave a fitness update on his squad. “Injury-wise, we’re pretty much similar to where we have been recently, in terms of Mason, Reece, Chilly, N’Golo and Marc Cucurella are not fit,” Lampard was quoted as saying by their club’s website.

“Koulibaly has been training with us over the last week but is probably not really ready for a game like this, but he is ahead of schedule to be fair. Benoit injured himself in training two days ago, his groin, and will miss the game. We’re assessing that now as we speak.”

Frank Lampard on Erling Haaland

Frank Lampard then diverted his attention to the most in-form man in the division – Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker has been scoring goals for fun in all competition for Man City this season. Chelsea are now tasked with the chance to stop him on Sunday. Ahead of the trip, Lampard revealed that he unsuccessfully tried to sign Haaland to Chelsea during his first stint with the Stamford Bridge club.

“I’ve got huge respect for him, he’s a player I tried to bring to Chelsea the first time I was here. Obviously that couldn’t happen, but his level at that point was very clear as well, we played against him in a pre-season game with Salzburg and he was fantastic,” he added. “So credit to him, I love seeing players at that level, I love seeing players with that personality and level of hunger to play and be the best, which he’s proven himself to be.”

Lampard also stated how he always knew that Haaland would quickly adapt to the Premier League. “In terms of having to deal with him, you need to have a plan and an idea. Players at that level can make something happen at any moment. I’m sure the players have a good awareness of him. You have to be at your best to try to negate the things he does,” he explained.

“I think he’s special, I knew he’d adapt straight away, just through his level. I just think with the level of player and his record of scoring in Austria, for his country and in the Bundesliga, which is not an easy league, to come into a really good unit already, that’s a recipe to really help him. The rest is just credit to him and the team around him, I have a real respect for the player.”