Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said he never expected to be helped by Manchester City’s ban and insisted Champions League spot is in their hands.
The three remaining Premier League games that will define which European competition Chelsea will be in next season will start tomorrow against Norwich City.
This morning Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has overturned Manchester City’s two-year UEFA competitions ban which means Chelsea will have to finish in the top four to qualify for the Champions League.
Lampard admitted he had a look at the result, but said he never had any expectation to be given some sort of safety net.
He told the media (as quoted by Chelsea’s official website): “I was pretty neutral on it really. I didn’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 in hand, we want to win them. I was never pinning my hopes on it, we just looked at ourselves.
“We are sitting third, it is in our hands. This morning has just made it clear now and we have to fight for it.”
Lampard also insisted that they focus on a game by game basis when asked about the rather tough remaining fixtures.
“My only concern are the games ahead,” he said.
“We are at a critical stage of the season. Norwich tomorrow, then Liverpool and Wolves in the league.
“We have shown this season at lots of different points the reason why we’ve got into third. Now we need to try to finish the job.”
About team news to face Norwich City, Lampard confirmed N’Golo Kante is still not fit for tomorrow’s game, while Andreas Christensen who went off at halftime against Sheffield United will be available.
Kante, however, could still be back for the FA Cup semifinal tie against Manchester United on Sunday, July 19, according to the manager.
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