Frank Lampard believes he can strike another 20 goals from Chelsea's midfield this season, after enjoying a new lease of life in Carlo Ancelotti's diamond formation. The England midfield has scored 100 goals in his past five seasons with the Blues, but looks even more threatening behind two forwards rather than just the customary one.

Lampard now hopes he can break his personal best of 21 for a campaign due to Ancelotti's new system. "Playing behind Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who make so many runs and moves, causes such a problem for the back four that you can run in behind them," he said.

"People will be so worried about those two that if I make those late runs behind them then hopefully I will get the opportunities to score more. I won't be doing tricks behind the front men, that is not the way I play.

I will probably give a little more defensively than other players do in that position, but I think I can create and score more. I am very happy to play there.
Frank Lampard on his new role at the apex of Chelsea's midfield diamond

"I will probably give a little more defensively to the team than other players do in that position, but at the same time I think I can create and score more than I have done in the past years. I am very happy to play there."

Terry and Drogba earn applause
Lampard was on target against Manchester United in the Community Shield yesterday. The 31-year-old's 70th-minute goal put Chelsea 2-1 up and although a late Wayne Rooney equaliser forced penalties, the Blues emerged triumphant.  

The sight of Drogba, who has just signed a two-year contract extension, running through United's defence was enough to convince Lampard that Chelsea will be more of a threat in the title race this season. The former West Ham United player was also buoyed by captain John Terry's decision to reject Manchester City's interest in him.

"Didier has signed his new deal and is staying with us," said Lampard. "He is as good a signing as you'll get anywhere, along with John Terry. It was important John stayed. He's a big player for us and no-one wants to lose huge players.

No-one wants to play against him. He's powerful, quick, strong and scores goals. He is one of the best about and still will be for a few years.
Frank Lampard on Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba

"When Drogba plays like that, no-one wants to play against him. He's powerful, quick, strong and scores goals. He is one of the best about and still will be for a few years.

"All the big players are fit and firing. I think we're ready to go and we have learned a few lessons from last year. A couple of things went wrong in mid-season and we don't want that to happen this year.

"The form we showed under Guus Hiddink in the last five or six months of last season would have won us the league and more. It showed what we can do and it is very important as players that we perform to that level, and if we do have the occasional rough patch, which every team has during the season, then we work hard and get ourselves out of it."

Hero hails positive start
Goalkeeper Petr Cech was his side's hero when he saved from Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra to help the Blues beat United 4-1 on penalties. Lampard, Drogba, Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou scored all of Chelsea's spot-kicks.

"We showed a great reaction taking the penalties, calmly and perfectly," said Cech. "All credit to the penalty takers because they did really well. We knew we needed to concentrate on the shootout and we showed great character going into the penalties.

"We didn't play so well in the first half and went one down, but we showed a great reaction in the second half. It is good to start the season like that against one of the main contenders for the title. It is always a good start to the season when you win the first trophy. It is a positive start for everyone."