Chelsea face Valencia in the Champions League first round group stages at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening, with the visitors having recently sacked their manager.
Marcelino was sacked last week and has been replaced by Albert Caledes, this has caused a stir and created some tension amongst some Valencia supporters who were unhappy with the dismissal, as reported by Fox Sports.
Chelsea are of course used to having their own managerial dramas with letting managers go and replacing them, so they will fully know the effect this could have on the players, the fans and the club on the whole.
Sometimes you can see a positive reaction, other times it can cause a slump and decrease in morale. Chelsea will obviously be hoping for the latter.
But naturally, Blues manager Frank Lampard is keen to ignore all of that and concentrate on his own teams preparation. But he is aware that the situation off of the pitch, could make Valencia a dangerous looking opposition.
He’s been speaking in his first Champions League press conference as a manager, as reported by Football London.
He said:
“I am aware of what’s going on but at the same time it doesn’t affect our approach or my approach. We are going up against a team that have fantastic quality, what I will say is my experience of moments like this, and every moment is different but when there is an issue as a collective group of a team against the media, the outside world, generally it makes a group tighter as players.
“Sometimes it can be a positive as much as a negative on the pitch. I am not going to think too much about it. We will certainly be ready for a team, even if they have their issues off the pitch with the media, will be determined to come here and do well.
“I draw a line on that and focus on what they can do on the pitch.”
