LAMPARD DISCUSSES HOW JAMES ASSISTED HIM IN LANDING A POSITION AT CHELSEA.

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard, the interim manager of Chelsea, has replied to claims that James Corden helped him gain the job at Stamford Bridge.

But, over the weekend, rumors in England surfaced suggesting that TV personality James Corden played a key role in bringing the former Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder back to the west London club after becoming acquainted with the club's US co-owner Todd Boehly over the past year.

Chelsea are in Spain for the first leg of their Champions League quarter final against Real Madrid on Wednesday, and Lampard was queried about the rumors.

Madrid are now second in LaLiga, but they defeated Liverpool in the round of 16 and blasted Barcelona 4-0 at Camp Nou to win the Cup del Rey 4-1 on aggregate.

"Are Real Madrid favourites? Yes and I understand why. That's the difficulty of our season. I don't think that is a problem.

"There is no better carrot in football than trying to prove people wrong, being the underdog and have a good result. It's one of the best things I've been part of. I think that is a nice challenge for us," Lampard said.