Wednesday Sep 13 2006 08:22
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hit out at recent press criticism of Frank Lampard after the Blues' 2-0 Champions League victory over Werder Bremen at Stamford Bridge.
England midfielder Lampard allowed Michael Ballack to take a second-half penalty in the victory, having missed a spot-kick at the weekend against Charlton.
However, Mourinho said afterwards: "My confidence is 100 per cent in Frank Lampard, but I told him if the next penalty is a crucial penalty at a key point in the game, then it's better for another player to take the responsibility.
"But if the next one comes in a position where Lampard is cool, he will take it again.
"People remember Lampard missing a penalty against Charlton, but I remember him scoring more than ten penalties for us.
"Something is happening with the English press in relation to Frank Lampard. I spoke to him about it and for me, he is guilty.
"He is guilty because you never had a player like him in the last ten years and because you never had a player like him in ten years, you are having a go at him.
"He is guilty because he scores so many goals, because he plays so many matches, because he plays game after game for Chelsea and England with 100 per cent effort.
"He is guilty because he is such a good player, but you should respect him a little bit more."
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