Manchester City under pressure to make flying start, says Frank Lampard

06 August 2010 09:50
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has warned Manchester City they could buckle under the weight of expectation if they do not hit the ground running this season. [LNB]City have spent around £80million on Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng, David Silva and Aleksanar Kolarov as they attempt to buy their way into the title race. [LNB]Roberto Mancini steered his side to fifth in the table last term and will be under pressure to improve after splashing the cash. [LNB] Take note: Blues star Lampard (left) has fired a warning towards Eastlands[LNB]Former Blues boss boss Claudio Ranieri was sacked in 2004 despite finishing second in the league after spending more than £100m the previous summer.[LNB]And Lampard said: 'Obviously they have got the money and they are stronger than ever. But they will have to try and find the mix and make it work very quickly. [LNB]'I think Chelsea did it well. It probably took us about a season or a season-and-a-half to get to where we wanted to be. [LNB]'You feel that they are going to be a force eventually because of the money behind them - that is just the way it seems to be.[LNB] 'But how quickly they can do it and how successful they can be remains to be seen.'  [LNB] Lampard is happy to return his focus to Chelsea after a disappointing World Cup campaign and admits England's friendly with Hungary next week is 'not ideal'.[LNB] The Wembley clash on Wednesday comes in the week the Blues begin their Premier League title defence and the scheduling has been criticised by managers including Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp. [LNB] Reinforcements: Toure (right) has been brought in to the City midfield[LNB]'I have got to be honest, the disappointing summer is not affecting the Chelsea side,' said Lampard.[LNB] 'Of course, we are disappointed with England but it is almost a breath of fresh air to come back to Chelsea. [LNB]'We won the double last year and that is a nice feeling. There is no niggling mental effect from the World Cup at all.[LNB] 'When the England games come then we will approach that but in terms of Chelsea, I think it is exciting to be back.' [LNB] Lampard acknowledged England's friendly with Hungary is important as Fabio Capello's side begin preparations for the 2012 European Championships qualification campaign, but said the timing was not convenient for clubs. [LNB]'It's obviously not an ideal situation,' he added. 'I've only been back in pre-season training for a week and a half and a lot of clubs are having the same problems with their World Cup players. [LNB]'But England also need to prepare for the European Championship qualifying games.'[LNB] Manchester City striker Adebayor admits: I'd rather play for JuventusSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsRamires to join Chelsea in £18m deal after Benfica allow Brazilian to leaveGiggs dismisses Liverpool and City, saying Chelsea are United's only threatCHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail