Frank Lampard insists that a Chelsea victory on Monday night will not kill off Manchester United in the Premier League's top four race.
The Blues take on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side at Stamford Bridge after the winter break and have the chance to pull away from them in the table.
A win for the hosts would put them nine points ahead of United going into the last bit of the campaign, which would be a comfortable position for the Blues.
However, there are several clubs chasing the Blues, with Sheffield United, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves and Everton all around the top four spot.
Chelsea have been beaten twice this season by United, once in the Premier League and another in the Carabao Cup.
But Lampard is willing to remind his players of the places in the table if it can motivate his
“No [United wouldn't be out of it]. Not at nine points, not at this time with the amount of points left to play for and the way the Premier League is. Certainly not," Lampard said.
"I would do [talk to players about positions] at certain times. I don’t think you should speak about it too much because you end up with your eyes everywhere, up and down the table and around yourself. I think we can only affect ourselves first and foremost.
"But I don’t think it’s the worst motivational tool for all of us to really understand the situation, because I have a deep sense of pride about wanting to get fourth place.
"I remember having that as a player. We were fighting generally for first and second place for a good period when I was here and that’s how you should be.
"So I don’t mind referencing that to the players.
"I look at the league table two or three times a day, sometimes. You can become obsessed with it.
"That’s for me to do. For the players, reminding them sometimes is fine. It’s a good tool."
