By Simon Austin BBC Sport Online, Cardiff

Italian striker Gianfranco Zola is tipping Chelsea for big things next season, despite an FA Cup final defeat that left the Blues without a trophy for the second year in succession.

Claudio Ranieri's side set out to challenge for the championship at the start of the campaign, but have not even managed to qualify for the Champions League.

"I think we are going to be there and competing next season," he said.

"We've got a young side and we are certainly going to come back stronger after this defeat.

"We showed Arsenal we are as good as them as a team and maybe even better.

"I think our season has been good - it has been positive for us.

"We changed a lot from the past. It is never easy to change a side and still do well."

Zola picked out England international Frank Lampard, who moved to Stamford Bridge from West Ham last summer, as one of the new breed of players who would take Chelsea forward.

Lampard was outstanding in the Cup final and was many people's choice for man-of-the-match.

"Frank is young and has been outstanding this season," Zola said.

"He started the season quietly, but he has gone up and up. It's not easy to come into a new team and do well straight away.

"He's strong, he's fit and he's young. He can get better and better and he's very keen to improve his game."