Frank Lampard: Willian has been Chelsea’s best player in recent weeks

Frank Lampard believes Willian has been Chelsea’s best player in recent weeks after watching his side secure a 4-1 win away to Southampton.

The Blues ran out comfortable winners at St Mary’s with Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kanté and Michy Batshuayi all getting on the scoresheet, with Danny Ings on target for the hosts.

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The result means Chelsea have now won their last three Premier League matches on the road, having previously accumulated just five points from 18 available.

After starting life as Chelsea manager on a tentative footing Lampard heads into the upcoming international break with his side in fifth, level on points with fourth placed Leicester City, and two points behind Manchester City.

This recent turnaround has, according to Lampard, coincided with Brazilian forward Willian rediscovering his best form to complement the club’s array of youth products.

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The Chelsea boss said: “His work ethic when he was off the ball was almost like, if you talk to wingers and tell them what you want from them, we could show them that video of Willian today.

“His quality and bursts of pace on the ball, he has been our best player in the last five games.

“And it’s a great thing to say when you have players on the pitch like that who are an example to those around them.”

Expectations changing?

Chelsea began the 2019/20 season on the wrong foot. They left Old Trafford on the opening weekend with a 4-0 defeat against Manchester United before Leicester City held them to a 1-1 draw at home.

Now with them being just two points behind second spot, Lampard was asked if their expectations for the season have somewhat changed.

“It is a difficult question to answer,” he added.

“I think we are a few points short of where we should be, based on our performances. I am happy where we are, it should give us determination, the minute you relax, it can hurt you.

“If we can keep going like this, I hope we will be challenging right up there.”

Southampton 1-4 Chelsea: Five key things to know…

• Abraham, Mount, Kanté and Batshuayi all got on the scoresheet for Chelsea at St Mary’s.
• Ings scored a consolation for the hosts, who are outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.
• The result means Chelsea have now won their last three Premier League away games on the bounce.
• Chelsea boss Lampard believes Willian has been their best player of late.
• He also hopes to continue in this vein and challenge further up the table.