Frank Lampard reckons Chelsea could not have had it harder than with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League knockout stages.

The Blues are billed to face Diego Simeone’s side after coming top in their group stage of the competition.

He said: “I think most people will say it’s the toughest draw that we could have had when you go on current form in La Liga, European experience, quality of team and play.

“But all draws are difficult in the Champions League. We have to have belief in ourselves when that game comes round. We’re going to have to beat these sort of teams if you’re going to win the Champions League, so it is what it is.

“Any draw would be tough but if you look, they’re top of La Liga. I watched them knock Liverpool out last year, who are obviously a great team and have that experience and quality in the squad.

“I think most people who certainly have said they are one of the toughest teams we could have drawn on paper. But we’ll have to turn up and do our job and be confident we can beat them.”

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has offered an update on the fitness of key star Christian Pulisic.

The United States international has endured an injury-hit season, as he’s been limited to just eight total appearances for the Blues.

Lampard said he couldn’t afford to take a chance with the winger after he was omitted from his side’s loss to Everton.

He said: “He trained on the day we played against Everton and felt better.

“He’s in the squad tomorrow and it’s yet to be decided whether he starts or not. It’s obviously positive news from the weekend.”

He missed several games at the beginning of the campaign while recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in last term’s FA Cup final, while he then missed more time in October and November with another hamstring problem.

Pulisic played 60 minutes against Leeds last weekend after entering the match in the first half for an injured Ziyech. He would go on to score in the second half as the Blues won 3-1.

Ajax footballer Quincy Promes has been arrested after an alleged involvement in a serious stabbing incident on the outskirts of Amsterdam.

The 28-year-old was taken into custody on Sunday morning regarding the assault, which took place in June at a family gathering.

De Telegraaf report, via Daily Mail, that Promes was arrested on suspicion of assault, which resulted in ‘serious injuries’ to a family member.

A statement read that a 28-year-old man had been detained in connection with the stabbing.

‘We only heard about the incident a month ago. An investigation was then started and this morning led to an arrest,’ Mr Geerds added.

The alleged offence carries a maximum of a four-year jail term should the Dutch international be found guilty.

He may now remain in jail for a maximum of three days, however, although the pre-trial detention can be extended.

Promes is said to have held a large family gathering in a warehouse in Abcoude, a town in the province of Utrecht.

It was at this party that the winger allegedly argued with a family member, for unknown reasons, and stabbed them with a knife – leaving them seriously injured.

As confirmed by Mr Geerds, the incident was reported to the police a month ago.

Ajax were asked to comment on the arrest on Sunday, and a club spokesperson said: ‘Quincy did not appear at training.’

Former Blues striker Tony Cascarino took aim at Timo Werner and Kai Havertz and says Chelsea were “playing with nine men” against Everton.

Cascarino watched his old side suffer a blow to their title aspirations as they lost 1-0 at Everton on Saturday.

He told talkSPORT: “Timo Werner is struggling and hasn’t scored in six now.

“I saw him against Rennes and I thought he was really poor.

“Look, he is devastatingly quick and he has got a [good] goal record, and I expect him to get one at Chelsea.

“Kai Havertz found it really difficult yesterday, he was on the fringe of the game. He is another really talented player.

“At times, it felt like they were playing with nine men. I don’t mean that they weren’t putting any effort in, but they just didn’t make anything happen. With that, Giroud didn’t get any service.”

Photo Credit: Twitter/Everton