Lampard also asserted there is no guarantee that any Premier League team will make the top 4 of the English top flight
By Kehinde Okeowo
Chelsea interim manager, Frank Lampard appeared to have taken a subtle jab at two Premier League giants, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Chelsea were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) on Tuesday night by La Liga champions, Real Madrid after suffering a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture of the competition’s quarter-finals match played at Stamford Bridge.
Rodrygo scored two second half goals in the 58th and 80th minutes for the holders, which saw off Chelsea who had earlier been beaten by the same scoreline in Spain last week.
Currently, the Blues have just 47 points from 31 games and are 11th on the Premier League log table behind league leaders, Arsenal and Manchester United who are in third position.
Lampard’s team are also closer to the relegation zone than the top-four, meaning there is little or no hope of qualifying for any European competition next season.
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Following Chelsea’s elimination from the Champions League, Lampard was asked if he was confident that the west London club’s absence from the competition would be short-lived,
Responding, the former England international said there is no guarantee that any team will be among the top 4 of the English top flight.
He also reminded everybody that the current Premier League leaders, Arsenal and third placed, Manchester United, who are likely to play Champions League football next season, spent years out of the European elite club competition.
Lampard said: “To say that any given team has this divine right to be in the top-four and in the Champions League, it’s tough.
“Manchester United have spent time out of the Champions League, Arsenal have spent time out of the Champions League. Lots of big clubs have,”
He added that it is pointless predicting what happens going forward.