Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has declared himself fit for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Everton.
There had been concerns that a knee injury would rule him out of the season’s finale, but he has returned to training and will start the game.
This is very good news for Chelsea as they attempt to win their first piece of silverware since 2007. It is also Guus Hiddink’s last game in charge, so there are plenty of reasons why the Blues will want to secure victory this weekend.
Speaking about his injury concerns, Lampard revealed to the press that he ‘feels fit and ready to go’ after what he described as a ‘bit of a niggle’. The 30-year-old – who has arguably had his best season in a Chelsea shirt – will now be doing all he can to ensure his team are celebrating on the Wembley turf come 5pm on Saturday.
As for the game itself, Lampard admits that it is a difficult one to call. He describes Everton as a ‘very disciplined team’ who ‘work very hard to stop you playing’. They didn’t finish 5th in the league for no reason after all – they are a very capable team.
However, the England midfielder knows that if Chelsea play to the best of their ability, they will be very hard to beat. Hiddink’s men have ‘been playing very well lately’ according to Lampard and with this in mind; they will look to play their ‘usual football’.
The magic of the FA Cup has to be taken into account though and as underdogs, Everton definitely have a chance. Lampard is aware of this and he says that finals are ‘always huge events’ that can go either way. He then admitted that no-one can predict how Saturday’s game is going to ‘pan out’.
The neutral will want plenty of goals to entertain them, but both Chelsea and Everton will be happy with getting the job done in any way they can. One thing is for sure though, the way in which big name players such as Lampard perform, could end up deciding who goes home with the trophy.
By Thomas Rooney
