Frank Lampard has reiterated his pride at managing Chelsea after their rapid response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Chelsea were one of the first Premier League clubs to pledge their resources to the NHS, making the Millennium Hotel available to its staff members.
Last month, players also made a “sizeable donation” to the Chelsea Foundation, which provides aid to local hospitals.
Chelsea have also delivered online tutorials for their younger fans and raised awareness and funds for Refuge, a domestic abuse charity.
Speaking to the club's official website, Lampard praised the staff at Chelsea for the work they have done.
“I am very proud to be manager of this club with the way Chelsea have handled it,” Lampard said.
“They were very quick to respond to help with the hotel. There is a lot more work they are doing with the Foundation, with link-ups, getting in touch with fans, putting on tutorials with some of the Academy coaches.
“There are a lot of people at Chelsea who have really stood up and done a lot of good work.”
Lampard also commented on the 'Players Together' initiative, which has seen Premier League footballers join together to generate funds for the NHS.
The 41-year-old heaped praise on the initiative, adding that the earlier criticism of footballers was entirely premature.
“I have been watching it closely with a lot of people talking about it, and I completely understand what a lot of prominent people in football have said: that players will do the right thing,” he said.
“They needed some time, and I think the politicians jumped the gun while things were being prepared. People behind the scenes knew that. It was unfortunate that picture got painted.
“But since then a lot of players and clubs have stood up in a good way. Not every situation has been perfect, but knowing players and how they think, that’s been a very good reaction. It’s ongoing, and it shouldn’t stop. That reaction needs to continue.
“If there is a light at the end of this tunnel, if there are things we can all learn, it’s how we give back and how we stick together.
“It’s very easily said, it’s much harder done, and I think there have been a lot of good gestures that have shown that.”
