Frank Lampard is a friendly guy, but he has a serious streak, a determined vein that made him such a good player. It’s been notable how cautiously he’s spoken in post-match interviews, always bringing up the negatives as well as the positives.

His comments today about his team’s chances in the Champions League, as recorded here by the Evening Standard, make it clear he’s keeping up the same standards when it comes to expectations in Europe’s top competitio

The Blues are considered outsiders in the cup with the big ears, as well as in the Premier League. But Lampard is still expecting his young team, hamstrung by the transfer ban, to compete on all fronts.

“It’s a big challenge for us as a team. We know that, with the difficulties of the ban, and where we’re at. But it shouldn’t take away from the great challenge that it is to try to do well in the Champions League,” the legendary midfielder said.

It’s not clear exactly what he means by “doing well”, but getting out of the group would be a good start, depending of course on who we draw later. From there, good performances from our youngsters in some tough European ties would be all we ask to see this season as a success.