Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says he is desperate to
win the Champions League, to put an end to all talk of the club
being cursed in Europe.
The Blues have made five semi-final appearances in UEFA’s showpiece
tournament since Roman Abramovich arrived six years ago, reaching
the final just once in 2008.
And having come one penalty-kick away from sealing their first
Champions League triumph against Manchester United 12 months ago,
Lampard insists that the heartache endured in Moscow is driving the
team on.
“There’s a sense of determination because we’re professionals,”
he said in The Times. “We crave success with our
clubs.
“We have basically achieved everything else domestically, so
Europe is always the one that’s hanging over us.
“I know what people mean when they say we are cursed because the
more years you get close and it doesn’t happen, the more you start
to think ‘Will I ever get there?’”
Having struggled under former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea
have rediscovered their winning formula under temporary boss Guus
Hiddink, reaching the FA Cup final in addition to maintaining hopes
of a top-two Premier League finish.
And the former PSV boss believes that the uncertain futures of the
squad are enhancing their performances.
“There are some players who start to play very well in April and
May because they think that they will be leaving," he said.
“All of a sudden you see players coming up in these times.”