Chelsea Hero Lampard Names The Player Who Will Pose A Headache For Messi
Published: February 20, 2018
Chelsea face Barcelona in the round of sixteen first leg of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
Former England midfielder Frank Lampard says N'Golo Kante will be the key player for Chelsea in the game and the Frenchman is the only one that can stop Lionel Messi from wreaking havoc.
''Whoever is nearest to him has to take the responsibility to take that space because the minute you let him get his head up and run freely at you, you won’t get near him. I can say that from experience,'' Lampard told Evening Standard.
‘There will be periods when you just have to back off. The problem is that being at home, there will be people wanting to see Chelsea have a bit of a go at them.''
Lampard added : ''But their players are that good, you have to back off to deny them the space where they can really hurt you.
''It is a fine line for Chelsea. They need to sit back but at the same time put pressure on him so he doesn’t become relaxed on the ball.
''This is where I think N’Golo Kante will be key. He is the one in Chelsea’s midfield with the abilities you need because he is so quick into the tackle.
''But it is important all 11 press their opponents, starting with those players at the top of the pitch.''
Lionel Messi has never scored against Chelsea in eight previous matches with the Premier League champions.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com
Former England midfielder Frank Lampard says N'Golo Kante will be the key player for Chelsea in the game and the Frenchman is the only one that can stop Lionel Messi from wreaking havoc.
''Whoever is nearest to him has to take the responsibility to take that space because the minute you let him get his head up and run freely at you, you won’t get near him. I can say that from experience,'' Lampard told Evening Standard.
‘There will be periods when you just have to back off. The problem is that being at home, there will be people wanting to see Chelsea have a bit of a go at them.''
Lampard added : ''But their players are that good, you have to back off to deny them the space where they can really hurt you.
''It is a fine line for Chelsea. They need to sit back but at the same time put pressure on him so he doesn’t become relaxed on the ball.
''This is where I think N’Golo Kante will be key. He is the one in Chelsea’s midfield with the abilities you need because he is so quick into the tackle.
''But it is important all 11 press their opponents, starting with those players at the top of the pitch.''
Lionel Messi has never scored against Chelsea in eight previous matches with the Premier League champions.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com
Latest News
- Isaac Success and Nollywood beauty Caroline Igben to wed on June 8, a day after Super Eagles v Bafana Bafana
- Noni Madueke cites Man Utd legend, ex-Chelsea winger, 2 others as players who influenced his game
- Arsenal's Junaid cleared to play in England's historic U17 Euro final v Spain after missing back-to-back games
- English-German-Nigerian fullback returns to Southampton but ineligible to face Leeds in billion-naira game
- 'Participated in 50 percent of the matches'- Napoli president De Laurentiis aims dig at Osimhen
- Southampton-owned striker Paul Onuachu makes decision about his future with Trabzonspor
- 2023 Flying Eagles invitee announces he is leaving Arsenal for good after thirteen years
- Dessers in danger of being offloaded as Rangers set their sights on landing Hearts striker
- Confirmed: Son of former Super Eagles striker offered new deal by Sheffield Wednesday
- Huddersfield release five players of Nigerian descent including forward named in 2023 AFCON squad
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football