Frank Lampard: Chelsea hotel stay helped prepare for Cardiff rout

Frank Lampard believes that Jose Mourinho’s decision to gather the Chelsea squad to stay overnight in a hotel before Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Cardiff City helped focus the Blues after the international break.

Goals from Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o and Oscar wrapped up the three points for Mourinho’s men at Stamford Bridge after Jordon Mutch put the visitors in front in west London.

And Lampard feels that the Blues benefited from their hotel stay and preparations in the build-up to Saturday’s clash.

“It was good and the manager does it quite a lot, and when it has been 10 days when we have all gone in different directions it is good to be together to rest, to eat and to have some meetings about the game,” Lampard told Chelsea’s website.

“It is all about spirit and keeping the group tight and we have done that and shown it in our performance.”

The win hoisted Chelsea up to second place in the Premier League table and Lampard, 35, admits it was vital that the Blues kept pace with the teams at the top.

“We have a big squad here and it is important that we try to stay fresh,” he continued.

“The manager changes it sometimes and if you get a positive result internationally which a lot of us did, you bring that back with you and I think the main thing is focus and concentration.

“We want to stay at the top of the league, we don’t want to lose ground.”