Frank Lampard Hits Out at Jurgen Klopp Over 'Strongest Squad' Claims
By Max Cooper
Frank Lampard has hit out at Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp over his claims that Chelsea boast the strongest squad in the league, admitting he 'doesn't understand it.'
The Blues spent over £200m on summer reinforcements to provide their coach with the squad he desires, and this prompted Klopp to tip them as favourites for the title this year, despite finishing fourth last season.
Speaking after Chelsea's trip to Goodison Park on Saturday, a mystified Lampard rejected these claims, stating he 'doesn't understand it,' and his young crop of players 'are a work in progress.'
"I keep reading how we had the strongest squad in the league. I don’t understand it," said a perplexed Lampard. "Teams around us have won titles and have strikers who score 30 goals every year, players who have won the Champions League.
"We have some players who have won titles but also have some who are new to the Premier League and are young. We are a work in progress and nights like tonight can happen.
"I don’t like them but they can happen."
Chelsea's good start to the season came to a halt on Saturday evening, when they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, and put in a rather tepid display. Lampard lamented the injuries which have befallen his wingers Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, and explained that he thinks the topic of five substitutes will rear its head once more.
"Everton had James Rodriguez out as well. When you watch Chelsea play Everton, you want to see these exciting wingers," said Lampard.
"I think the five subs will be addressed later in the week. If we are expecting players to fly around the world and then go again on Tuesday and Saturday, you have to look at the big picture. Did we miss the wide players? Yes."
The Blues remain two points behind Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the top of the league, but that gap could be opened to five if the duo win their respective matches on Sunday afternoon.