Frank Lampard speaks about Sheffield United, Kante, Rudiger and Mount

Chelsea will be eager for back-to-back victories when they face Sheffield United in Premier League’s fourth round on Saturday. The Blues got their first victory last weekend with three points against Norwich City. Ahead of the game against Sheffield, the Blues boss Frank Lampard has faced the press and first of all has given an injury update. “N’Golo Kante is not fit. Continuation of his ankle injury. I had a conversation with Deschamps. Pedro is not fit but should be the other side of the international. Rudiger will play for the U23s tonight,” Lampard said. “It is a setback (Kante). My focus then is to make sure that he is okay. We certainly had to get it right. We must cope as a squad and we should show that.” Lampard has also spoken out on Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham: “Delighted for Mason, great recognition. He hasn’t played yet, delighted after the start he had. Tammy, there is competition upfront. It is tough, but I am pleased for Mason and Ross. I am confident in his character and desire, hunger. Everyone must keep their feet on the ground. It is only the start for him. Tammy is dealing with it first hand and it is not easy to rise above it, but he has. He trains with a smile on his face. But this has to be the start now and for the young players to push on. He is playing because he deserves it, he has to continue that.” Chelsea must negotiate a group including 2019 semi-finalists Ajax, Valencia and Lille in the Champions League group stage this season. “There is never an easy Champions League draw. Valencia, Lille and Ajax, no walkover at all. It is a strong group all the way through. Mestalla is a difficult ground to go to, if you are not at it or ready it is difficult,” Lampard said. On Sheffield United and their tactic, Lampard added: “They have started well. I was very impressed with them last season, the job Chris has done can’t be underappreciated. He feels deeply about the club and I felt that last year. I look forward to going up against them. You have to give credit where it’s due. It is where they caught the eye last season and I enjoyed the tactical battle. It gives you a lot of threats. In terms of the Premier League, we will see if they adapt slightly and how people adapt to them. There is not just a tactical edge, but a physical edge and that might have grown slightly. I like the style of letting last season’s players have a go.”

Chelsea’s Champions League fixtures in full