Lampard backs ageing Blues stars

Published Sep. 12, 2010 3:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Blues midfielder is confident that Carlo Ancelotti's side can lift Europe's biggest prize at Wembley in May and finally bring the trophy back to Stamford Bridge for the first time in their history. After securing the domestic league and cup double in the Italian's first season in charge, the 32-year-old England international believes this squad has yet to peak despite concern over the Blues' senior men. Captain John Terry and Ashley Cole are both 29 while Nicolas Anelka, Yossi Benayoun and striker Didier Drogba are all over 30. But Lampard, who has now recovered for a hernia injury, which ruled him out of England's opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers, has rejected any suggestions that the Chelsea squad is too old. He said in the the Daily Star Sunday: "It is a load of rubbish when I hear talk about there only being one or two years left in our spine. This has been going on for a year or so. "Sometimes that is mind games from other managers, or press talk. But we proved them wrong last year. "We have got players here who are experienced and you can't buy experience in football. Look at Didier, he will overpower any player who is 24 or 25. "People have been talking about Paul Scholes and rightly so. If you took him out of the United team now, they'd need to replace him - and probably wouldn't be able to." Lampard admits to a having a deep hunger for success at Stamford Bridge and has set himself a series of goals this season. "Every year I set my goals again. I don't lose any ambition or drive," he added. "I would love to win the Champions League one day but I want more Premier League titles as well. "And if I can keep my level up I think I can play for many more years."