Is Frank Lampard right? Is Chelsea's status as a top-six side vulnerable this season?

Speaking to the press yesterday, Frank Lampard has admitted that our status as a top-six club, let alone a top four side is vulnerable because of the investment being made by the likes of Leicester, Everton and today's opponents Wolves. Is this something you agree with?

When asked the question Frank Lampard answered as he always does being completely open and honest. He said:

“They (the other teams) should feel they have a chance. It was always going to be the way, particularly from our point of view.

We always want to be competitive but we’re all very honest about the situation here. Eden (Hazard) moved on, and two number nines (Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain) moved on who were the number nines generally last season.

Younger players are coming in. But that’s not just the story, because you look at teams that have invested heavily, Everton, West Ham, Leicester.

Wolves were competing towards the top six so that’s challenging for all of us. We’ve seen it changing before our eyes.

From a day when almost the top four you could probably write it down at the start of the season, certainly now you can’t. A top six you can’t write down.

Because the playing field of what we have got now, where teams are investing heavily... You have to respect them.” - Source: The Mirror. 

We have seen over recent seasons, due to the amount of money in the game being pumped in by the likes of SKY etc, that the strength of the Premier League now compared to a decade ago is much stronger. Every single side, including those that get promoted from the Championship are willing to spend big to ensure they meet their targets whatever they maybe from ensuring their Premier League status next season, to achieve a mid-table finish, top six, top four or to challenge for the title. Gone are the days of playing teams that you should be rolling over because you can never take anything for granted. 

Frank Lampard's Chelsea side have first-hand experience of that two weeks ago with a disappointing result against Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge, a draw against Leicester also at the Bridge and a narrow victory over Norwich City. Two of those sides were promoted last season. 

You think of the time when Jose Mourinho first arrived at the club, it was always a battle between Arsenal and Manchester United as to who will win the league with everyone else a distant third place. Jose and Chelsea changed that and we forced our way into the equation followed by Manchester City and now Liverpool. Continued investment of extortionate amounts of money every year is making these teams stronger and in addition every other Premier League side. If you are left behind these days you will struggle at some point - to which Chelsea have in the opening weeks of the season. 

Frank Lampard is right in my opinion, you cannot name the teams that will finish inside the top six this season let alone the top four because teams with their investment have closed the gap. However, I still believe with the squad we have, the players we have when everyone is fit and available, is more than good enough to finish inside the top six AND challenge for the top four. 

With a bit of luck, time and (fingers crossed) lack of injuries moving forward, let's hope we can do it. 

What do you think of what Frank Lampard has said?

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