FRANK LAMPARD has gone family friendly in his battle to beat fixture congestion and fatigue.
Chelsea’s manager has binned the policy of making the squad stay in a hotel the night before home games in recent weeks because the schedule has been so hectic.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side have lost their last two games on the bounce[/caption]
The players are instead allowed to stay in their own beds so they can get a better night’s sleep and see more of their loved ones.
Chelsea crammed six Champions League games into seven weeks between October 8 and December 8, plus a two week international break when their cosmopolitan players were spread all over the world.
Lampard admitted his team looked ‘tired’ after Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Wolves.
The Blues boss said: “There could be some fatigue.
I hate to say it after a defeat because it could sound like an excuse.
“But even in the first 60 minutes when we were the better team, we didn’t have a zip about us.”
The players will be staying home tomorrow night before facing West Ham in a London derby on Monday.
But they will have to spend Christmas night in a hotel with team-mates ahead of Boxing Day’s clash with Arsenal.
A Chelsea source said: “It’s just a small gesture that might help the players keep their energy levels up at a demanding time.”
As things stand, the Blues are seventh in the Premier League with six wins from 13 matches.
They are without a win in their last three games across all competitions.
Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
