Lampard on injuries, Barkley, dropping Alonso, transfer ban appeal and wanting more fouls

Frank Lampard spoke at a news conference on the eve of Chelsea’s game against Aston Villa. Here’s some of what the Blues boss had to say.

On Tammy Abraham

“We’re giving him every possible chance to be fit. He’s still got some pain in the area of the injury, so we’ll make a judgement call tomorrow.

“It’s painful for him, so it’s about pain thresholds. Does it affect his movements etc?

“He was in good form and, with every player who’s important, you try to give them as much time (as possible).

“You need them to be keen and he’s always keen, so he’s trying his best and we’re trying our best to give him time.”

“It’s clear, when he is where he is in the goalscoring charts, what his input has been generally for us this year.

“We shouldn’t understate that, but at the same time one player cannot be a reason for losing a game or having a below-par performance.

“What’s clear though is that he’s obviously an important player for us.”

On Chelsea’s recent defeats

“I think it’s part of football. If anybody thought this year was going to be a breeze and that we were going to go six, seven, eight on the bounce and keep doing it forever, I think they would be misguided.

“What we need to do now is focus on our reaction. There were basics that we didn’t do on Saturday which we’ve been doing a lot and which have been big reasons why we’ve been doing so well.

“We lost a little bit of that in one game so it’s important in terms of how we prepare for Villa that we recognise those basics and get them straight back.”

On Ross Barkley

“Ross has actually been sick. He was ill on Sunday night. He’s been in (training) this morning but is not recovered enough for the game.

“He’s training and he’s training well – that’s never been a huge issue, it’s just that now he has to keep that level and compete for a place in the team or in the squad. That’s up to Ross now.”

On Antonio Rudiger

“Rudiger’s close. He’s stepped up his training in the last week, so we’re hoping he’ll be available within the next week to 10 days.”

On the lack of fouls in the loss against West Ham

“I think it’s a bit of a freak stat – and one that we shouldn’t be proud of.

“Not that you want to commit fouls, but if you play with urgency and aggression, which you need to, it’s hopefully well channeled but can cause fouls and that’s how it should be.”

On whether Tottenham’s improvement under Jose Mourinho puts added pressure on Chelsea

“I don’t think that’s got anything to do with this game. The competition for the top four was always going to be great this season.

“Tottenham would have been people’s favourites to be in the title race at the start of the season, let alone top four, so we understand the competition of many teams that are in and around us.

“Some teams that have been slightly unfancied are there as well, so we have to respect everybody and mainly worry about ourselves.”

On facing John Terry

“There’s not much difference for me because I obviously went up against him twice (with Derby) last year.

“I get on well with him and have got huge respect for him and the work that him and Dean Smith have done there.

“I think it’s about John and the reception he’ll quite rightly get from the Chelsea fans. He was their most decorated captain, greatest captain, won everything, feels the club – everybody knows that.

“The fans will certainly show their appreciation and I’m sure it’ll be pretty emotional for John. He deserves that moment and I’ll be certainly be pleased to see his face back at the Bridge.”

On the appeal against Chelsea’s transfer ban

“I haven’t heard any more. I will wait and reserve judgement until we get that judgement and see where we want to go from there.”

On when he expects a verdict

“Very soon, I believe. Days, I think.”

On dropping Marcos Alonso

“I’ve got a squad to select from. I’ve got options in different positions and that’s just my choice. That’s what it is.

“It’s sometimes a difficult part of my job because I can only pick 11 and only pick the subs and I have to make those choices.

“It doesn’t mean anyone’s out of the picture – ever. It’s about how you train here daily, how you perform when you play.

“We need the squad and in some periods of course players will maybe be disappointed they’re not in it, but they must keep working.”