Chelsea manager Frank Lampard believes home advantage could be crucial in their own side’s Carabao Cup fourth-round associate with Manchester United, but is cautious of bettering their out-of-form opponents.
Chelsea thrashed Grimsby 7-1 on Tuesday Wednesday to give Lampard his first victory at Stamford Bridge since taking charge in July at the club in which he spent the bulk of his playing career.
United, who have won just once in the league because beating Chelsea 4-0 about the coming weekend of this season, struggled to a penalty-shootout victory over League One Rochdale at Old Trafford.
“I was only watching the penalties. It is a major draw, two major teams and I’m happy we’re in your home. We are going to see,” Lampard said of the tie, which will happen on the week commencing October 28.
“I think a lot can happen in soccer in a limited time. Tomorrow the next round isn’t coming. We must respect the fact that they have good players.
“They beat us 4-0… so I am certainly not going to stay here and talk Man United down.
“It’s going to be a challenging match, and also the beauty of what we did on Wednesday night will make the game look pretty straightforward.
“However, these games could be hard and I’d rather, by a space and having not watched the game, give Rochdale charge for carrying them all of the way. Man United will bring a strong team here.”
Ross Barkley started the scoring for Chelsea after just four minutes, before Michy Batshuayi’s brace, Pedro’s punishment, Kurt Zouma, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi finished the rout.
But the larger picture was Lampard handing debuts to four academy graduates as well as a first start for Billy Gilmour.
Gilmour was a mythical performer in midfield and fellow rookies James and Marc Guehi too impressed, although there was a welcome return for England winger Hudson-Odoi, his first appearance since picking up an Achilles injury in April.
After Lampard sent on two more debutants as replacements, Tino Anjorin along with Ian Maatsen, the Blues finished the night with six academy starlets around the pitch.
“I am pleased some gamers who haven’t been playing so many minutes played, there have been some debuts, along with also the young lads who arrived on enhanced the group which was nice,” Lampard added.

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