Chelsea boss Frank Lampard believes home advantage could be crucial in his side’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie with Manchester United, but is cautious of bettering their out-of-form opponents.
Chelsea thrashed Grimsby 7-1 on Tuesday Wednesday to give Lampard his initial success at Stamford Bridge since taking control in July in the club at which he spent the majority of his playing career.
United, who have won only once in the league since beating Chelsea 4-0 on the coming weekend of this season, struggled to your penalty-shootout victory over League One Rochdale in Old Trafford.
“I was only viewing the penalties. It is a huge draw, two significant teams and I’m happy we are in your home. We are going to see,” Lampard said of this tie, that will occur on the week commencing October 28.
“I feel that a lot could happen in football in a short time. Tomorrow, the round is not coming. We must respect the fact they have players that are great.
“They beat us 4-0… so I’m surely not going to stay here and talk Individual United down.
“It’s going to be a hard match, and also the beauty of the things we did on Wednesday night could make the game look pretty straightforward.
“But these matches can be hard and I would preferably, by a space and having not watched the match, provide Rochdale credit for taking them all the way. Man United will deliver a strong team .”
Ross Barkley opened the scoring for Chelsea after just four minutes, before Michy Batshuayi’s brace, Pedro’s punishment, Kurt Zouma, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi finished the rout.
However, the larger picture was Lampard handing debuts into four academy graduates as well as a first launch for Billy Gilmour.
Gilmour was a mythical celebrity in midfield and fellow rookies James and Marc Guehi too impressed, while there was a welcome return for England winger Hudson-Odoi, his first appearance since picking up an Achilles injury in April.
After Lampard sent on two debutants as replacements, Tino Anjorin along with also Ian Maatsen, the Blues finished the night with six academy starlets around the pitch.
“I’m pleased some players who have not been playing a lot of minutes playedthere were a few debuts, and also the young lads who arrived on enhanced the group that was nice,” Lampard added.
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