Frank Lampard fires back at reporters in feisty Chelsea press conference

Frank Lampard has snapped back at reporters in a fiery press conference when questioned over criticism of Chelsea.

The Blues boss was asked about the presence of club legend Petr Cech in the squad, having been called up last month after a year-and-a-half out of the game.

And he has been part of the squad during a period where they have lost five of their last eight Premier League games to sit eighth in the table.

When one reporter asked about the goalkeeper’s presence in a squad short of confidence ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round game against Luton, Lampard was not happy.

He replied: “To be fair, I think their confidence would be shot if they were to read some of the pieces you write at the minute.

“I read some of them and some of the confirmation bias you always reflect on games with, it's almost like a social media pundit to try and get a reaction in a negative way.

“I read the pieces when we were doing well as well and they didn't go both ways.

“So for a journalist to be objective would be a big start. Because if the players do read it, I’d feel like that.”

Lampard was speaking to The Athletic reporter Liam Twomey, who wrote after the Blues’ 2-0 loss to Leicester on Wednesday: “This now has the look of a broken team, a miserable squad and a terminal decline.”

The Blues boss received several questions about his side’s poor form, having spent £200million on talents such as struggling forward Timo Werner and midfielder Kai Havertz.

When asked how he copes with the pressure, the boss replied: “I don’t listen to it. It’s only everywhere if you want to go scroll through social media or something. I don’t do that.

“I’m not stupid, I know the pressure that comes with managing a top football club but I only do my job. So it doesn’t matter to me.”

While Lampard received calls for Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers to replace him, owner Roman Abramovich’s take may leave him walking on eggshells.

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