Frank
Lampard insists Chelsea were never pinning their hopes on qualifying for the
Champions League on Manchester City's European ban being upheld.
City were handed a two-year ban from European competition by UEFA in
February after being accused of breaching their club licensing and financial
fair play regulations, which would have handed the club that finishes fifth
in the Premier League a place in next season's Champions League
However, City appealed their ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,
which on Monday morning overturned the suspension - meaning City will be in
next year's Champions League, and the club finishing fifth in the Premier
League will be consigned to the Europa League.
City's ban being upheld would have handed Chelsea a major boost in their bid
to quality for the Champions League, but Lampard said: "I was pretty neutral
on it really. I don't know much about the case. I just listened to the
result - as everyone else did - this morning.
"I don't see beyond the games. We've got a few games now and we want to win
them, then see if it gets us Champions League football.
"I was never pinning my hopes on an extra team getting in - we worry about
ourselves. If we win enough games now, we can get into the Champions
League."
Chelsea are currently third and know that they will finish in the top four
if they win their three remaining Premier League games, but Leicester and
Manchester United are within two points of the Blues, while Wolves and
Sheffield United are also capable of closing the gap.
While Lampard says he is clear on his vision for his squad, he admits
missing out on Champions League football - which would cost Chelsea tens of
millions of pounds - could affect his transfer plans this summer.
He said: "We've brought a couple of players in, which I think shows a real
positivity about where we want to go.
"Not being able to do business in the last two windows has meant that we
haven't been able to bring in, we haven't been able to move players out.
"I think that's as important as bringing players in sometimes - to keep
freshening up the squad and keep the competitive nature.
"I know where I want to go with the squad, but that has to be a fluid
conversation with the club. Of course economics will come into it, so we'll
cross that bridge when it comes."
Chelsea wary of 'wounded' Norwich
Chelsea's hunt for Champions League football took a severe blow on Saturday,
when they were humbled in a 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United, but they will
look to respond quickly against Norwich at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday - live
on Sky Sports.
Norwich also suffered a damaging defeat last weekend, with their 4-0
thrashing at the hands of West Ham condemning them to relegation after just
one season back in the Premier League.
But despite Norwich now having nothing but pride to play for, Lampard has
warned Chelsea - who will again be without the injured N'Golo Kante - that
they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.
He said: "Having good home form is good for confidence and we have to carry
on with that. With Norwich, we absolutely have to treat them with utmost
respect.
"Wounded animal, whatever you want to call it… they have quality players,
they play very well. In a lot of games I've seen them in this season, they
could probably consider themselves unfortunate not to have got results.
"We'll certainly be expecting a very tough game."
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