<p>Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said starting his career at the bottom of the soccer pyramid helped him appreciate the financial challenges facing lower-tier clubs during the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">Covid-19</a> pandemic and it was important for the Premier League to help out.</p>.<p>Clubs in the lower divisions rely on matchday revenue to keep finances ticking over and the government's decision to postpone the return of fans to stadiums is expected to have a massive impact.</p>.<p>"I think it's important the Premier League as a collective looks at supporting the English Football League, the leagues below and grassroots football," Lampard told British media.</p>.<p>"That's the base of why we're all here. I started, and a lot of young players started, in Sunday league football. I've managed in the Championship. I understand a lot of the difficulties clubs are having.</p>.<p>"I can't go too political because I don't know enough about the numbers, but I do think clubs in the Premier League and the Premier League themselves have a heart. I'm sure as we move forward they will be making positive moves on that front."</p>.<p>Chelsea face Barnsley in the League Cup later on Wednesday and Lampard said his side had paid for the Championship club's Covid-19 testing.</p>.<p>"It's a sign of a club in the Premier League doing the right thing," he said. </p>
<p>Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said starting his career at the bottom of the soccer pyramid helped him appreciate the financial challenges facing lower-tier clubs during the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">Covid-19</a> pandemic and it was important for the Premier League to help out.</p>.<p>Clubs in the lower divisions rely on matchday revenue to keep finances ticking over and the government's decision to postpone the return of fans to stadiums is expected to have a massive impact.</p>.<p>"I think it's important the Premier League as a collective looks at supporting the English Football League, the leagues below and grassroots football," Lampard told British media.</p>.<p>"That's the base of why we're all here. I started, and a lot of young players started, in Sunday league football. I've managed in the Championship. I understand a lot of the difficulties clubs are having.</p>.<p>"I can't go too political because I don't know enough about the numbers, but I do think clubs in the Premier League and the Premier League themselves have a heart. I'm sure as we move forward they will be making positive moves on that front."</p>.<p>Chelsea face Barnsley in the League Cup later on Wednesday and Lampard said his side had paid for the Championship club's Covid-19 testing.</p>.<p>"It's a sign of a club in the Premier League doing the right thing," he said. </p>