Chelsea v Wigan Athletic: Premier League is still the best, says Frank Lampard

08 May 2010 15:04
The Chelsea vice-captain rejects suggestions the league is not as strong as in previous years as they prepare to face Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. [LNB]A win for Chelsea, who head the table over Manchester United by a single point, will guarantee them the title in Carlo Ancelotti's first season as coach. [LNB] Related ArticlesAncelotti: it would be a tragedy if Chelsea lost titleChelsea v Wigan: match previewCarlo Ancelotti urges Chelsea to seize the dayDrogba: Terry scandal nearly harmed title bidMartinez: Wigan will not roll over against ChelseaSpurs linked with move for Joe ColeThe Italian's team have been defeated six times in league games this campaign, but they are in pole position at the most crucial point of the season. [LNB]"This is the position we wanted to be in," said Lampard. "Some people have said the league has gone downhill but I don't think it has. [LNB]"The league has improved because the teams in the middle of the table and down the bottom have been fighting even harder and are more organised. [LNB]"It has proved more difficult for the bigger teams to win regularly week in, week out, and if we can win one more game it will be a big achievement to win it this year due to circumstances. [LNB]"To win the league you can never have it smooth and there are not many seasons when it is plain sailing all the way through. [LNB]"You are fighting against big teams in Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and others and there are times you have to stay strong. In the moments when we were down this season we have stayed strong." [LNB]Lampard will earn his third champion's medal should Chelsea achieve their aim. [LNB]Chelsea, under coach Jose Mourinho, won the title in 2005 and 2006, and another triumph would also end a run of three successive title successes by United. [LNB]Watching Sir Alex Ferguson's side take the trophy three times in a row only increased Lampard's desire to win the trophy again. [LNB]"Credit to them, they deserved to win it in recent seasons," said Lampard. "We are there to battle with them and we have been in touching distance. [LNB]"I was very proud of winning the league twice, particularly the first time because of all the years Chelsea had gone without it. [LNB]"It was a huge thing to be part of that group but if we can go and win the Double it will be right up there with that because not many clubs have done it in history." [LNB]Meanwhile, Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba claims he will gladly forego winning the Golden Boot this season if Chelsea can land the League title and then secure 'The Double' by beating Portsmouth in the FA Cup final on May 15. [LNB]Drogba is vying for the scoring award with Wayne Rooney on 26 goals and he has already collected the club's player of the year award. [LNB]"It has been the best season in my career so far," said Drogba. "When you have a season like this, individual trophies like player of the year are good, but I want more and I want to share with my friends. [LNB]"I really want to win the Premier League trophy and the FA Cup again, this is very important. [LNB]"I really don't mind if I don't win that (the Golden Boot) and I win the Double. That is really what matters. [LNB]"It has been a great season and I am really happy. Everybody knows my history with the fans here and there have been some difficult moments, but really and honestly we are always talking the same language and that is Chelsea." [LNB]Drogba also hailed the influence of Ancelotti. [LNB]"It is his first year here and it could be the best season in Chelsea's history so I hope that there will be more seasons like this one," added Drogba. [LNB]"He put a lot of confidence in this team and a desire to play well, start from the back, short passes - completely different to what we were doing before. [LNB]"There are many ways to win football matches and I think this way is one of the best." [LNB]

Source: Telegraph