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5 matches, 5 wins. Chelsea have been on a good patch of form recently and will be looking to carry that forward in their next match which is going to be against Ajax in the Champions League. While Chelsea's form is good, Ajax are no pushovers.
The Dutch team lie on top of the Champions League group with two wins out of two, both being 3-0 drubbing of Lille and Valencia. The two teams who gave Chelsea problems which led to Blues winning one (albeit narrowly) and one loss.
As such Lampard is aware of the threat which Ajax pose and will not be taking them lightly.
Lampard on good form ahead of Ajax: "We have some confidence but this will hopefully be a different challenge that we will hopefully be ready for." #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 22, 2019
Ajax's young-stars reached Champions League semi-final last season. Considering how little they spend and how regularly they're ripped apart by wealthier European teams like Barcelona(Cillessen, Frenkie de Jong), Juventus (Matthias de Ligt), Tottenham (Davinson Sanchez, Vertonghen directly and Alderweireld indirectly) and even Chelsea (Redan, Castillo), that's an amazing feat.
The brilliance of this is not lost on Lampard who is trying to start a youth revolution of his own at Chelsea.
Lampard mad respect for Ajax legacy: "We are in a place here that is steeped in history of bringing young players through. We have a long way to go to do that but in the short term I am happy with what we have." #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 22, 2019
Lampard on following Ajax success: "What Ajax did last year was incredible, to do what they did with such a young team. You see my belief in them. People say I have no options in my squad so I have to play them, that's not true. I chose to play them." #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 22, 2019
Lampard on Ajax being good: "I respect the team because I watched them play last year. The team has changed slightly but I am very aware of the new threats." #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 22, 2019
Moving on to team news. Chelsea's injury crisis continues as Kante, Barkley and Rudiger haven't even travelled with the Chelsea squad, on top of the already injured Christensen and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. A little bit of good news comes from the news that Emerson is back in the squad.
Kante, Barkley and Rudiger haven't travelled. Gilmour included in the #UCL squad. #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 22, 2019
I should say that Emerson has been included in the 19 man squad. #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 22, 2019
Aside from this, Pedro is not in the squad either but that may be more due to something happening behind the scenes rather than an injury.
No Pedro either in the squad. #cfc
— Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) October 22, 2019
With Pedro out of contention, this leaves Willian, Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic as the only out and out wingers in the squad, leading to the latter two youngsters getting more minutes as the season goes on.
Lampard says Hudson-Odoi is ready to start a Champions League game but there's 'no guarentees' #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 22, 2019
Lampard on Pulisic fighting for a spot tomorrow: "Good, as I want from all the players. Callum gave me that from his display from the start. Willian gives me that. Pedro gives me that. I was really pleased for Christian to come on and make an impact." #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 22, 2019
That's all of note from Lampard's pre-match press conference ahead of Ajax. Chelsea being third in the group (due to Champions League following head-to-head rules) makes this match a must-win or risk falling 3 points behind Valencia (if they win) and 6 points behind group leaders Ajax (if we lose). As they say, pressure makes diamonds. Time to shine bright like one.