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Chelsea host Barcelona tonight in the Champions League, and Blues legend Frank Lampard who had so many experiences playing against the Blaugrana and Lionel Messi rates the Argentine, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, as the greatest player of all time and admits his former club will need luck to stop him in his tracks.

Lampard also backed N’Golo Kante as the only player in Chelsea’s midfield that can cope with Messi.

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He told the Evening Standard: “Whoever is nearest to him has to take the responsibility to take that space because the minute you let him get his head up and run freely at you, you won’t get near him. I can say that from experience.

“There will be periods when you just have to back off. The problem is that being at home, there will be people wanting to see Chelsea have a bit of a go at them.

“But their players are that good, you have to back off to deny them the space where they can really hurt you.

“It is a fine line for Chelsea. They need to sit back but at the same time put pressure on him so he doesn’t become relaxed on the ball.

“This is where I think N’Golo Kante will be key. He is the one in Chelsea’s midfield with the abilities you need because he is so quick into the tackle.

“But it is important all 11 press their opponents, starting with those players at the top of the pitch.”