Frank Lampard has dismissed claims that a player conspiracy has derailed former club Chelsea's season and forced Jose Mourinho out of his position as manager.
Mourinho left the Stamford Bridge dugout for the second time earlier this month after presiding over a nightmare start to the campaign, with Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo claiming that a "palpable discord" had developed between the manager and his players.
Reports of dressing room unrest began circulating soon after the team's stuttering Premier League title defence began this season -- BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Garry Richardson claimed in November that a senior first-team player had said he would "rather lose than win" for Mourinho, while the Portuguese coach insisted his team had "betrayed" his tactical work in a 2-1 defeat to Leicester City days before his sacking.
Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were singled out for abuse from irate supporters during Chelsea's first match after Mourinho's departure -- the 3-1 victory over Sunderland -- after reports that they had actively worked to undermine Mourinho, with one banner displayed at Stamford Bridge labelling the pair along with PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard "The Three Rats."
But Lampard, who won two Premier League titles under Mourinho and spent 13 trophy-laden years at Chelsea before leaving on a free transfer for MLS side New York City FC in the summer of 2014, is adamant that the current crisis at Stamford Bridge does not stem from player power.
"I think if there's a conspiracy then you have the wrong type of people at the club," Lampard told reporters at a football workshop in Dubai alongside NYCFC teammate Andrea Pirlo.
"I know the Chelsea players and the club, and it's not a conspiracy. It's people not performing, people on the outside always look for a conspiracy, but the answer is always on the pitch."
Chelsea began life under interim manager Guus Hiddink by drawing 2-2 with Watford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and lie just two points above the Premier League relegation zone as they prepare to take on Louis van Gaal's struggling Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday.