Lamela: 'There are many teams in the fight'

Erik Lamela knows the importance of this weekend’s blockbuster at Stamford Bridge in the race for the top four – but is well aware that we’re not the only ones competing with Chelsea for a place in next season’s Champions League.

Last week’s late victory at Aston Villa moved us back into fifth, one place and a solitary point behind the Blues ahead of our visit to the Bridge on Saturday lunchtime (kick-off 12.30pm).

But a look at the bigger picture shows it’s far from a two-horse race. Indeed, there are just seven points between Chelsea and 11th-placed Burnley.

“I see it as all the people see it – everything is very close,” said Erik, who returned from a thigh problem as a substitute in the midweek Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig.

“There are many teams in the fight and not only with Chelsea are we fighting for fourth place.

“There are a lot of matches ahead, but we put ourselves in a very good position winning the last match (at Aston Villa).”

Heung-Min Son joined Harry Kane in the treatment room this week, but Erik is adamant we can find the firepower we need from elsewhere in the squad – and pointed to the solid performances of goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga when Hugo Lloris was injured earlier in the season as an example of how we can cope.

“We know that we are missing some good players – Harry, Juan Foyth, Moussa Sissoko, Sonny – but this team always fights until the end and we never give up,” the Argentine international said.

“I think all of us are important. We have an incredible squad, of course with injuries we are getting some bad luck – during all the season, not only now – but before when Hugo was missing, Paulo did very well and on Wednesday, other players had to cover other positions and they played well as well.

“We are always together, trying to do our best and always pushing forward.”