The Blues are also 11 matches unbeaten since September’s defeat to Liverpool and have received plaudits in recent weeks, not just for an upturn in results but for performances that have combined defensive solidity with attacking verve.

Summer signings Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Hakim Ziyech have all hit the back of the net in recent weeks and Lampard believes the improvement in understanding throughout the team has been evident.

Speaking in the latest edition of Ask Frank, which you can watch in full below, the boss picked out Werner’s record of eight goals in 12 appearances as particularly satisfying.

‘I’m really pleased with Timo because when you make a big move, everybody expects you to come in and hit the ground running,’ said the boss.

‘They expect him to know every pass that they [his team-mates] want to make and them to know every run he wants to make. It doesn’t work that simply so there’s always a period where you’re striving on those levels.

‘For Timo to produce those numbers and have the impact he’s had so far shows the quality levels of him. He’s very easy to manage, I’m enjoying it and I think he’s going to get even better for us.’

Lampard also discusses the positives and negatives of competition among the squad, calling for ‘a strong group, players to always be supportive and to work hard to get into the team.’ He cites Tammy Abraham, who has started the last three games, as a good example of that.

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