FRANK LAMPARD will order his Chelsea stars to be Christmas party poopers — and not wreck their title dream.
The Blues boss admits his new-look squad have suffered from a lack of bonding but is adamant there can be NO players’ nights out with the strict Covid rules.
Chelsea are not having an official party and Lamps will tell players to resist the temptation to go out alone.
He said: “I’d better read up on the tier system — there are certain factual things about tiers that a lot of us have doubts about.
“But I know the basics and the players should do by now and I will reiterate to them their responsibilities.
“I think the Christmas party thing of yesteryear has mellowed now anyway.
“Players are so well followed on social media that some of the parties I might have been involved in are a thing of the past.
“Responsibilities for players are big, as role models to the outside world, for their professional careers, to do the right thing particularly when they are playing so frequently over Christmas.
“They have to live differently to the rest of the public and focus. I will have those conversations.”
Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley, on loan at Aston Villa, broke rules when he went out with team-mate Jack Grealish in London’s Mayfair last weekend.
And Tammy Abraham apologised in October after being filmed at a surprise birthday party in his honour, alongside defender Ben Chilwell.
Lampard has brought six new players into his senior squad but misses the out-of-hours gatherings that can improve team spirit.
He said: “We have missed out a bit. We have new signings this year, a new fresh squad in a way.
“We have missed the opportunity to go out to dinner together more often and it’s been one of the tough parts of Covid.”
Tomorrow’s trip to Everton kicks off a run of five matches in 16 days. And Lampard finds it tough keeping his players fresh.
He said: “We are constantly thinking about the workload because this season has constantly looked like Christmas.
“Every three days we are playing, they’ve been away internationally. The breaks haven’t been there.
“Training is sometimes more recovery than work.”
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