Lamps support for Deco

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Frank Lampard has urged Chelsea fans to keep faith with Blues team-mate Deco.

The Portugal playmaker has failed to maintain his early-season form but Lampard admits the rest of the Chelsea team have also been below-par in recent weeks.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side have stuttered at home, with their Boxing Day victory over West Brom their first in four Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard has likened Deco to former Chelsea team-mate Gianfranco Zola and believes the ex-Barcelona star's creative ability could be a valuable asset as the Blues aim to re-establish their commanding home record and regain the Premier League title.

"He's a top player - you only have to look at what he's done in his career and what he did in his first four games here," Lampard told the Daily Telegraph.

"Like all of us in the last few games, we haven't played at our top level.

Special

"But people have to stick with Deco because he can make something special. He has that Zola thing about him where he can find a pass.

"At the moment they are not all coming off but when they do he could be the key that helps unlock the door in home games.

"Yes, he's not going through his best time at the minute, same as a lot of us, but he'll come good.

"He's come from La Liga and it's different here, it's quicker and more physical and that's something he has to take on board. It's not easy."

Source: Sky Sports.

[Elliott 7]

I don't think anyone has said, that Deco's shite, sell him now! We just want what you want Lamps, a decent player in the team instead of the crap we're getting at the moment from him. Even Frank recognises that apart from the first 4 games he's been ineffectual.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Correct. I agree that no-one's saying we should sell him off, what I think Frank is trying to say is that we just need to give him time - it won't be until next season that we see the best of Deco, we're doing exactly the same with Ballack in his first year, then he came back from injury and was brilliant for us last season.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

What he needs to do is get his foot on the ball and play the simple pass for a few games till he gets his confidence back up. Anytime he's lost possession he's tried to be too fancy and then resorts to chasing back half hearted or taking someone out to stop the counter to save face.