05 January,2012 10:46 AM IST | | Agencies
Frank Lampard insists the spine of the team which has brought Chelsea so much success during the past decade is still crucial to their chances of glory during the modern era.
"The spine of the team is what's made us what we are over the past seven years. We need those big players like John Terry, who was magnificent at the back against Wolves," said Lampard, who scored a late winner against Wolves on Monday night to push the Blues back into a Champions League spot.
Chelsea went into the New Year outside of the top four for the first time in 10 years before the win at Molineux and Arsenal's defeat at Fulham saw the positions of the two clubs reversed.