Frank Lampard has said that he is frustrated that Chelsea have been unable to win the Champions League to date.

The 33-year-old, who begins this season's campaign with Chelsea against German outfit Bayer Leverkusen later this week, insists that the Blues' desire to lift the trophy is as strong as ever.

"We have been so close, that is very frustrating," Lampard is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "It has been pretty much the same group of players and every year we go in with the same attitude.

"When you have a lot of domestic success, it's not just the owner Roman Abramovich, but the fans and the team want that extra step forward – which is to win Europe.

"It seems to get tougher every year because the quality – particularly in Spain and with Barcelona – means the bar has been raised. But there is no way that Chelsea are that far behind."

The Blues reached the final of the competition in 2008 under Avram Grant, but Man Utd went on to beat them 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.