Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has admitted that Chelsea needs to treat their upcoming Champions League clash against Lille on Tuesday as a cup final and has also revealed how Frank Lampard is trying to mold his Chelsea squad.
The defender was speaking ahead of our meeting with Lille at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, a game the Blues need to win in order to secure a place in the last-16. A draw might be good enough but would rely on the result in the Ajax versus Valencia game going in our favor. However, following one win in five matches in all competitions, Zouma believes the team must show a reaction when his countrymen visit west London.
“He just wants us to be more responsible, to take more risks. He knows we have the ability. To play the game like in training. Playing without fear,” said Zouma, who has been a starter in Chelsea’s last five Champions League fixtures.
“Just thinking a bit more, there’s a lack of communication at times.”
“He (Lampard) hates a defeat. The kind of manager and he tells us that we have to do it better. But he is very calm, understands the game. We try to make it right for the next game.”
Zouma added: “We have to show character and we need to be motivated. The pressure is always there. Tomorrow is another game.
“We work together, we just have to keep together. Maybe it has been a bit quiet, we have to be better.
“Every game you feel a different pressure. You know if we win we go through.
“Tomorrow is like a final for us. We have played well before, Ajax away we played good. At home it was crazy”
Zouma also admitted that he is happy to have Antonio Rudiger back after he was declared fit by Lampard despite the German likely to take his place in the side.
“He is an important player for us. He has no pain, feeling good. Everyone is important and we want to move forward,” added Zouma.
Zouma and the Chelsea defense were criticized for their performance in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat against Everton on Saturday and Lampard will welcome Rudiger’s fitness boost ahead of Tuesday’s clash.
