These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.

Lampard on the difficulties of being a manager

Frank Lampard has opened up on the challenges he faces daily as a manager, also stating that it is harder than all those years he spent playing football. Our head coach spoke on Eddie Hearn’s No Passion No Point podcast on BBC Sounds to talk about his management journey so far.

After playing for 13 years at the Blues, he can now look at the roles of being a coach and a footballer from a different perspective.

‘The life of a player is a bubble of selfishness to a degree,’ he said. ‘The facts and reality is I realise now it’s (coaching) much harder than playing in terms of it being consuming.

‘The life of a manager is 25 people in the squad, staff in the building, problems with different departments. It’s so far removed from football.

‘A manager gets 50 problems a day. It’s much more consuming but I love it and I couldn’t live without it.’

The former midfielder is in his third season of management and admits to still ‘finding his feet’.

He also understands that taking over at a club where he is the leading goalscorer and won three Premier League titles can come at a cost if it does not work out.

‘I can be open that it helped me get the job – playing 13 years at the club helped me get the job.

‘I had to put my ego at the door a bit and say that I might ruin what I achieved in 13 years to a degree – because if it doesn’t go well, I will be judged harshly and quickly.’

Giroud on bouncing back

Olivier Giroud’s brace in France’s 4-2 win over Sweden was the perfect response to criticism the team faced after their loss against Finland.

Giroud moved within seven goals of Thierry Henry’s France all-time goalscoring record.

The 34-year-old’s double strike added to Benjamin Pavard and Kinglsey Coman goals to cap an excellent display for Didier Deschamps’s men.

‘We had a lot of regrets and frustration, also on an individual level, against Finland,’ Giroud said to M6, also reported on Goal.com.

‘We wanted to learn from that match, and we were able to react against Portugal by dominating and deserving the victory.’

Giroud also stated his two goals were not a response to all the criticism from his previous performance, mentioning that getting heckled is something he is used to.

‘This gathering is positive after this last match. Even if everything is not perfect, there is still a feeling of satisfaction.

‘There was no feeling of revenge for me. I’m used to being heckled, it’s the story of my career. It gives me more strength. I have no problem with that.’

Maddison explains Chilwell celebration

James Maddison has explained the ‘A’ celebration of former team-mate Ben Chilwell. This celebration has been seen across the Premier League, also performed by Jack Grealish and Blues midfielder Ross Barkley who is on loan at Aston Villa.

‘We have a little group chat called the Avengers,’ Maddison said explaining the celebration, which was reported in the Leicester Mercury.

‘There is a few of us in there, and some of our friends from outside of football. Grealish, Barkley, Dele Alli, and John McGinn are the footballers.’

Maddison also opened up about Chilwell’s transfer to the Blues, saying it was the perfect move for his friend.

‘I was delighted for him,’ he said. ‘He was my best friend here and he welcomed me into the club. I knew him from the England Under-21s set-up.

‘Chelsea managed to get Champions League football and we didn’t. It was a perfect fit for him, with a young English manager who really wanted him and there’s nothing better than when a manager really wants you.’