Frank Lampard says he wants to see ‘energy’ from his struggling Chelsea side as the under-fire manager bids to turn around the club’s faltering fortunes.

Lampard’s position has come under increasing scrutiny following a torrid run of form for the Blues, winning just two of their past eight league fixtures to drop to ninth in the Premier League.

Chelsea were second best throughout as they were beaten at top four rivals Leicester in midweek, with the west London outfit six points adrift of the Champions League places and facing an uphill task to secure a top four finish.

Widespread reports have suggested that Lampard’s position will become untenable should results and performances fail to instantly improve, the club understood to have made contingency plans with the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick and Ralph Hasenhuttl amongst those considered.

Lampard has now spoken on what he wants to see from his side as they bid to improve, urging his players to work hard and show the energy that made him ‘proud’ and brought success last season.

“One of the things that set us apart as a team last year was our energy. There were parts of that this year when we were on a good run. We needed that to beat Leeds and beat Sevilla. I feel proud when I put out a team that shows that.

“We did it last year and we managed to get to fourth position. When I see [our energy] come off we have to call it out and we have to work in training to get it better. You cannot play if you don’t run first. As a group we need to get back to the energy we were finding when we were winning games.”

Chelsea’s next fixture sees the Blues host Luton in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, before a midweek Premier League meeting with Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

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