England midfield star Frank Lampard warned his Chelsea teammates about the dangers of complacency as the Londoners get set to begin the defense of their English Premiership title.
Chelsea play Manchester City in their 2006/2007 opener tomorrow, with the player agreeing with manager Jose Mourinho that they may struggle in the first few weeks.
"We're not invincible, we know that. That image is something that gets created outside the club," Lampard said.
PHOTO: AP
"We've lost games before, the important thing for us is to start the season well," he said.
Chelsea are favorites to become the first club to win three successive Premiership titles but boss Mourinho has acknowledged a chink in their armor.
With so many players involved at the World Cup Chelsea were forced to start pre-season late, leaving the Blues boss to admit his team may be vulnerable until the end of the month.
"We haven't spoken about winning three successive titles but we've spoken about the desire to win the Premiership again," Lampard said.
"We've done that every pre-season since Mourinho has been at the club but we also understand how tough that is," he said.
Former Italy striker Bernardo Corradi admits he is realizing a boyhood dream by playing in England for City.
Corradi, 30, looks set to make his debut in the game at Stamford Bridge.
"Since I was 15 years old it has been my wish to come to England," Corradi said.
"This for me is the best way to live football. The supporters here get right behind the team. This is my kind of place where it is a man's game," he said.
"I am like a child again and I cannot wait to feel the atmosphere on match day," Corradi said.
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