Frank Lampard outlines what fans returning for Leeds United clash will mean for his Chelsea side

Supporters will be present at a Leeds United match for the first time in 273 days on Saturday evening, when 2,000 Chelsea fans will be in attendance for the Whites' trip to Stamford Bridge.

The current national lockdown is due to end on Wednesday, with regions in that fall into Tiers 1 and 2 finally able to welcome a limited amount of fans back to football grounds.

While Leeds unfortunately will be in Tier 3 meaning fans will continue to be locked out of Elland Road for the foreseeable future, London will be a Tier 2 region, meaning 2,000 fans will be present to watch Chelsea and Leeds renew their Premier League rivalry.

The plans which mean ten Premier League clubs are able to readmit fans and the other ten are not have been criticised in some quarters for creating an unfair competitive advantage after teams have had to adjust to empty stadiums.

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Speaking after he watched his side draw 0-0 with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, Blues boss Frank Lampard was asked what impact the return of supporters would mean on how he and his players are able to communicate.

"In terms of where we are at, I am pretty happy," he said. "Bringing signings into the club it doesn’t mean everything works, we have to gel, we have to work, we have to build relationships with the players and we are doing that. We are not in a bad place at all.

"Will the fans coming back change it? I’m not sure they will. We want them back anyway for what it brings to the game. I don’t think 2000 next week is going to change too much in terms of communication between the players on the pitch.

"Every day and every performance that passes, I think the relationships are building. I’m pleased with where we are at. We always want more, but hopefully it will come."

Leeds' Saturday evening trip to the capital will mark the first time Lampard has faced off against the Whites since the 2019 Championship play-off semi-final and will be the first time Leeds and Chelsea have met in the Premier League since the final day of the 2003-04 season, when an already-relegated Leeds side lost 1-0.