FRANK LAMPARD reveals Roman Abramovich has not demanded a Champions League finish in his debut season.
The new Chelsea manager described the new job is the "biggest challenge of my career".
But he admitted that he will be given greater patience by the club’s trigger-happy owner.
Lampard, 41, has walked into Stamford Bridge knowing the club have lost Eden Hazard and are likely to fall further behind Manchester City and Liverpool in terms of squad strength.
He insists Roman Abramovich has not demanded a Champions League finish this season – but says that is exactly what he himself will demand.
Do we want to be playing Champions League football year in, year out? Yes for sure, and that is something that should drive us all on
Asked if his squad had the quality to finish top four, Lampard said: "Yes we do, yes we do for sure.
"There is a lot of competition at the top of the league but we can lose sight.
"We talk about losing Eden Hazard, one of the greatest players in the world, yes we can understand that, but at the same time we have a very strong squad of players, I don’t want to talk down this squad.
"It is a hugely talented team that managed to come third in the Premier League and win the Europa League.
"We haven’t been decimated, we haven’t lost players everywhere, we still have a very strong squad.
"We have to start with an intention to win and if I didn't say that I don't think I should be here because that’s how it has to be.
"Do we want to be playing Champions League football year in, year out?
"Yes for sure, and that is something that should drive us all on – myself and the players included.
"The club haven’t demanded that and I don’t think they need to say that."
Lampard has been handed the Chelsea job after just one year as a manager at Derby, who he led to defeat in the Championship play-off final.
Asked about his lack of experience, Lampard said: "I would say I thought about it a lot, it is an obvious question and I understand it.
I have been one year in management and the Chelsea job doesn't come around often. I don't want to go and start saying I am worried about this and that
"I have been one year in management and the Chelsea job doesn't come around often.
"I don't want to go and start saying I am worried about this and that.
"Football is littered with stories of managers who have done well and others who have not.
"Whether I have one year or ten years, I have to prove I can deliver.
"It is very clear that we are a club that generally, barring a couple of season in recent years, are a club that has managed to be top four or winning titles.
"One of the benefits is I know the club. I understand what is expected so it was not even a conversation that I needed to have."
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Lampard has bought assistant Jody Morris and fitness coach Chris Jones from Derby.
Chelsea academy coach Joe Edwards has been promoted to a key role in Lampard’s first team backroom staff.
Former Chelsea star Eddie Newton has also been promoted to the first-team picture, from his role as liaison with the club’s army of loan players.
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