Lampard: we’re about more than muscle

FRANK LAMPARD insists it is a “disservice” to suggest Chelsea’s success under Carlo Ancelotti has been built purely on strength and good organisation.

The Blues head to Blackburn for tonight’s Carling Cup quarter-final having restored their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League to five points with Sunday’s 3-0 victory at Arsenal.

It was a fifth successive league win since being beaten at Wigan, and maintained a 100% record against their traditional top-four rivals.

Much has been made of the way Chelsea outmuscled the Gunners at Emirates Stadium, to leave Arsene Wenger’s men some 11 points adrift, albeit with a game in hand.

However, Lampard, 31, rejects the notion the Blues have nothing else in their locker.

“We went to Arsenal and showed with our performance a bit of everything of what we are about,” said the England midfielder.

“We kind of oozed that sort of belief in ourselves.

“But we have got intelligent players, the manager works on tactics and we know that is the base from where we play – sometimes that works against us because teams do us a disservice by saying we are just an organised, strong team. We can do both sides of the game when we are at our best, and we showed that against Arsenal.

Meanwhile Didier Drogba has revealed he no intention of leaving Chelsea for Italy despite admitting there had been past contact with both Milan clubs.

Inter Milan have long been admirers of the striker with ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho keen to be reunited with his former player.

AC Milan have also been linked with Drogba but the 31-year-old, who extended his contract in the summer, claims he will not be moving to Italy in the near future.

“I’m sorry but I’m staying here,” Drogba said. “I have just renewed my contract for another three seasons.

“It’s true that in the past there was contact with two big Spanish clubs and two big Italian, sorry Milanese, clubs.

“But now the rumours aren’t true any more and they are without any foundation.

Meanwhile assistant boss Neil McDonald – who will again oversee first-team affairs with Sam Allardyce still recovering after heart surgery – believes Blackburn Rovers can upset the odds.

“They (Chelsea) are very strong and have a fantastic squad, but they are not unbeatable,” McDonald said.

“Wigan have beaten them, Aston Villa have beaten them and we have to draw strength from that.

“They were all away from home, and our home form has been fantastic, so we must continue that against Chelsea.

“We have worked extremely hard to get to this point. Why should we say ‘just because we are playing Chelsea that’s us out?’ We have to remain positive.”