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Frank Lampard responds to Chelsea supporters booing 2 players.
After hearing boos during each of their introductions, Frank Lampard commended Raheem Sterling and Hakim Ziyech for their contributions to the victory over Bournemouth.
On Saturday, Chelsea won for the first time under interim manager Lampard, securing their spot in the Premier League for the 2023–24 season with a 3–1 victory at the Vitality Stadium.
It was the Blues’ first victory in nine matches across all competitions, and it was primarily a result of the efforts of two controversial replacements, Ziyech and Sterling.
When they were brought in the second half, Chelsea supporters booed them loudly. However, both went on to make significant contributions, with Zyiech helping Benoit Badiashile and Sterling helping Joao Felix.
Speaking to the press after the game, Lampard was keen to praise Ziyech and Sterling.
“They’re two players, Hakim and Raheem, that want to do well as football players and they have big talent both of them,” he said.
“If it’s form, it’s very much temporary and I think their class is permanent and I’m pleased for them today having an impact when they came on.”
Lampard also took the time to discuss the ‘small step forward’ Saturday’s win: “It was very evident in the dressing room from coming in that there was a lot of picking up that needed to be done and unfortunately you need results to come in line with that to keep you stepping forward, so that’s been tough. It was a nice small step forward.
“The lads are all human, we’re all affected in similar ways when you’re not winning games or you don’t feel at your best and the only way to get through that is to fight and to work through it.
“I’ve been in relative periods where they’re tough, so absolutely they should enjoy tonight and have a beer or have a glass of wine or do whatever they do. But we cannot take our foot of the pedal in terms of trying to take steps forward until the end of this season because it’s important.”