Saturday 28 January 2017 11:00, UK
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says his former team are unlikely to be overtaken in the race to win this season's Premier League title.
With 16 games remaining, the Blues are eight points clear of the field and the 38-year-old told Jamie Carragher, in an interview for the Daily Mail, that none of their rivals can match either the consistency or organisation of the Stamford Bridge side.
Lampard said of Chelsea: "I can't see anyone catching them. They are the most organised team.
"Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are the difference but you've got to give the manager (Antonio Conte) a load of credit, too.
"And don't forget Cesar Azpilicueta. He's been brilliant. Costa and Hazard get the limelight but he's basically a right back and a centre half.
"He is tailor-made for that role. He's probably been player of the season."
Regarding his immediate future, Lampard says he is yet to decide, having left New York City FC last year after two seasons in the MLS.
"There is a part of me that wants to stay in the game, sometimes I don't know why, it just feels this is what I do," Lampard said.
"I don't want to leave and think to myself, 'Maybe I should have stayed a bit longer', I'm dwelling on it, I have turned down a few Premier League offers.
"But the fact is, after being at Chelsea for so long and a year with Manchester City, I don't want to get involved in a relegation dogfight.
"I don't mind challenges but there comes a point when you have to take stock, I understand my weaknesses, it's late January now and to try and get fit and then get into a team and make a massive impact... I don't feel I could give enough.
"I just want to make sure I make the right decision. I've appreciated getting options at 38. If something comes along that floats my boat, who knows? But nothing has, so we will see."
And Lampard explained that he regrets not enjoying the day-to-day life as a top footballer more: "When I look back, I didn't enjoy any of the big games.
"I didn't enjoy any of the finals. You enjoy lifting the trophy and the celebrations. But it was always the next game.
"I had a fear of losing, a fear of what might happen if I had a bad game. Would I get dropped? Will Liverpool and Manchester United be better than us next year? I don't remember a lot of stuff in my career.
"I was so focused on being the player I wanted to be. It was stressful trying to stay on the edge but I knew if I dropped a level, if I got sloppy in training, I would fall behind.
"There was a point in the middle of my career where I was too driven. I didn't enjoy it. It's much easier now."
