Frank Lampard says he is obsessed about restoring Chelsea’s former glories, just as he was about the FA Cup final when he was a youngster.
The former England midfielder has the chance to end his first season as Blues manager with some silverware by beating Arsenal in the traditional end-of-season domestic showpiece.
Lampard lifted 11 major trophies as a player at Stamford Bridge.
He goes to Wembley having secured Champions League football for 2020-21 via last week’s fourth-place finish.
That has yet to merit a phone call of congratulation from owner Roman Abramovich however, although victory at an almost-empty Wembley may remind the Russian to reach for the dial pad.
Lampard insists he does not require any pats on the back from the man who bankrolled all that previous success.
That’s because he’s already plotting significant improvements for next term.
“I don’t need phone call or recognition like that because my job when we come fourth is to think about how we can finish higher and close the gap,” Lampard said.
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“It will be similar whatever the result is against Arsenal – win or lose, my job is to think what next season looks like.
“I felt support from the owner from the moment I took the job and I felt it for many years as a player.
“I’m happy if I can make him happy, (finishing fourth) last Sunday was a step forward and I want to continue making those steps.
“I would be welcome to take any call because this is my life and I’m obsessed about how we can get to where we want to be.”
Lampard won the FA Cup four times as a Chelsea player, and although the competition diminished in importance for many during that period, he did not feel the same way.
“I grew up watching finals and winning goals and remember them very well,” he said.
“If you give me five minutes I could list them through the 90s.
“The magic is definitely there for myself but I’m not sure we can necessarily expect some of the modern day players to think about Gazza’s injury and certain goals.
“I still have those feelings within me so my job is to ignite the players to feel like that because I know the fans do, particularly as it is a London derby.
“The players have to feel a little bit of what the fans feel now they are on their sofas supporting their team.”
One man who is unlikely to be feeling the magic of the FA Cup is goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has been displaced by Willy Caballero for the second time this season.
The £71million signing paid the price for stopping only just over half the shots that have been fired at him this season, and will be moved on if a buyer and a replacement can be found.
“I treat all the players the same regardless of their price tag or wages,” Lampard explained.
Pedro is hoping for a farewell appearance in a game that could also be a final Chelsea bow for Willian, who has been passed fit for the bench at least.
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