Carlo Ancelotti believes midfielder Frank Lampard could play a key role when Chelsea tackle title rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Lampard found the net four times in last weekend's 7-1 drubbing of Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge and has now scored at least 20 goals in each of his last six seasons.
The Blues travel to the home of their title rivals one point adrift with each club having five more games to play after they go head-to-head this weekend.
Ancelotti, who took charge of Chelsea in the summer, revealed he did not fully appreciate the England international's talents until his arrival in West London.
"Lampard is a very dangerous midfielder," said Ancelotti. "It is difficult to block him because he is a very dynamic player and he gets into the box at the right moment.
"He is a midfielder who scores 20 goals every season and he is unique in that respect. I was surprised by him. I knew him but not with the timing into the box and that is his most important quality.
"We can use this quality to beat United but it is not enough to use just Lampard. We have other qualities and want to use them all."
Chelsea have bagged an impressive 12 goals in their last two games as they preceded their romp against Villa with a five-goal showing against Portsmouth to claim a narrow advantage over the Red Devils in the goal difference and goals scored stakes.
Despite having watched his side rack up 82 goals in their 32 Premier League outings this season, the Italian tactician insists he always attempts to remain true to the principles of his homeland.
"I don't consider myself an attacking coach," he added. "I am Italian and the fortune of Italian football is defensively. I like balance. I am a balanced coach.
"This is our aim, to attack and play football, but the first thing is to maintain balance because I don't like to concede a goal.
Lampard found the net four times in last weekend's 7-1 drubbing of Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge and has now scored at least 20 goals in each of his last six seasons.
The Blues travel to the home of their title rivals one point adrift with each club having five more games to play after they go head-to-head this weekend.
Ancelotti, who took charge of Chelsea in the summer, revealed he did not fully appreciate the England international's talents until his arrival in West London.
"Lampard is a very dangerous midfielder," said Ancelotti. "It is difficult to block him because he is a very dynamic player and he gets into the box at the right moment.
"He is a midfielder who scores 20 goals every season and he is unique in that respect. I was surprised by him. I knew him but not with the timing into the box and that is his most important quality.
"We can use this quality to beat United but it is not enough to use just Lampard. We have other qualities and want to use them all."
Chelsea have bagged an impressive 12 goals in their last two games as they preceded their romp against Villa with a five-goal showing against Portsmouth to claim a narrow advantage over the Red Devils in the goal difference and goals scored stakes.
Despite having watched his side rack up 82 goals in their 32 Premier League outings this season, the Italian tactician insists he always attempts to remain true to the principles of his homeland.
"I don't consider myself an attacking coach," he added. "I am Italian and the fortune of Italian football is defensively. I like balance. I am a balanced coach.
"This is our aim, to attack and play football, but the first thing is to maintain balance because I don't like to concede a goal.
"The easy way to score is a counter-attack. In Italy the team that won Serie A was not the team that scored more goals, it was the team that conceded the least."
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