Frank Lampard has told his Chelsea players they have set the standard for the rest of the season after their 1-0 win at Ajax in the Champions League. The Blues travelled to the Netherlands expecting their toughest test in Group H given that Ajax had won both of their opening two matches against Lille and Valencia respectively.
Chelsea’s European campaign started with a home defeat against Valencia, before they picked up a 2-1 win in France against Lille.
Lampard handed starts to Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.
Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists had Chelsea under the cosh at times, having a goal disallowed via the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and also hitting the post through Edson Alvarez.
However, it was Chelsea who secured the three points when Christian Pulisic provided an assist for fellow second-half substitute Michy Batshuayi to score with just four minutes remaining.
Lampard said it is “great for the spirit of the squad” when players step off the bench and make an impact, while he hailed the way Batshuayi recovered from missing a sitter from six yards to convert the winning goal.
It was Chelsea’s sixth consecutive win in all competitions, but the manager feels it stands out from the rest and should be used as a benchmark to take into all of their matches.
He said: “That’s the blueprint. There are no excuses for us now. That’s the standard and we can’t drop it. “The most pleasing thing is the desire to improve and follow a game plan, and we are moving in the right direction. The signs are good at the moment.”
Chelsea must now switch their focus back to the Premier League as they face a tricky Saturday evening trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor.
COMMENTS