Tuesday 8 September 2015 12:58, UK
Premier League champions Chelsea can bounce back from their indifferent start to the season and compete for the title with Manchester City, according to Chelsea great Frank Lampard.
The Blues kicked off the defence of their crown in disappointing fashion, winning one and losing two of their opening four top-flight fixtures, with Jose Mourinho's side eight points behind City at the international break.
But Lampard, who ended a glittering 13-year spell at Stamford Bridge to join City before moving to MLS franchise New York City, believes his former club will soon recover from their insipid start to the campaign.
"These things can happen," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "They were a dominant side last year and won the league quite rightly.
"Sometimes things don't always go as well for you but Chelsea are certainly capable of coming back from that.
"I always fancied Chelsea and City to be the strong teams this year.
"I have such an affiliation with Chelsea that I've always got my eye on them and I've got no doubt that they are going to come back and still have a strong season."
Similarly to Chelsea, Lampard has made a frustrating start to life in the MLS, with injury restricting him to just three starts for New York City.
But the former England midfielder, who says he has settled in well in America off the pitch, has revealed he is on the road to recovery and hopeful of having an impact on the pitch for his new club.
"It has been frustrating on the pitch for me because I've only managed to start three games," Lampard added.
"By nature, it is difficult to push and try and get fit with muscle injuries. That is what I was trying to do and it wasn't working.
"But we've had a free week this week, I've trained for two weeks solid now and I'm ready to go. We play Dallas at the weekend, it's a big game for us and a big game for me.
"Personally, everything off the pitch has been fantastic for me. The city is amazing, the people are welcoming and the buzz in New York is incredible.
"Hopefully I can start playing now and make a difference on the pitch."
Watch MLS Commissioner Don Garber live on Sky Sports News HQ on Tuesday from 2:15pm. And catch Frank Lampard's comeback from injury as New York City host FC Dallas on Sunday. Coverage starts at 1:35am, Sky Sports 2 HD.
