Chelsea: Frank Lampard is a smart and necessary risk for the Blues to take

Like any manager or player, Frank Lampard brings with him a certain package of risks and rewards. Given the rewards at stake and the few alternatives with a better overall balance, he is the best choice to replace Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.

The 2019/20 season almost certainly is going to be another season of transition for Chelsea, as Maurizio Sarri is set to take over at Juventus after just a single season at Stamford Bridge. But the combination of the transfer ban and a lack of quality managers available on the market will make it hard for the club to replace the Italian.

According to reports, Massimiliano Allegri has already rejected Chelsea, while Erik ten Hag is reluctant to take the job knowing he would not be able to sign any new players for the next two transfer windows. As a result the club could be forced to look towards club legend Frank Lampard, despite his minimal experience as a manager.

While Lampard did a commendable job at Derby County last season, it might be too early to take the reins of a club the size of Chelsea.

Many of his detractors say the only reason he is linked with the job in the first place is because of what he achieved at Stamford Bridge as a player. Yet that is the very same reason that people like Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane had the chance to manage top clubs at the very beginning of their managerial careers. Safe to say, neither of them crumbled under the expectations.

Of course, not all great players turn out to be great managers, evident from the below-par managerial careers of the likes of Diego Maradona and Thierry Henry. But in the situation Chelsea currently find themselves in, it is a risk they have to be willing to take.

Arguably the greatest player in the history of the club, appointing Frank Lampard will definitely bring the fans back on the side of the Blues’ manager after the turbulent relationship that they shared with Maurizio Sarri last season.

The Italian seemed to be a figure only concerned with his own philosophy and disinterested in winning the hearts of the Chelsea faithful. The fans responded in kind, making their disdain towards Sarri and his style of play known.

There will no such problems with the man who scored 211 goals and won 13 trophies during his time at Chelsea. Even a downturn in results will not turn the fans on Lampard as happened with his predecessor.

Hiring Lampard along with his assistant manager, Jody Morris, will also mean the Chelsea youth receive the opportunities that they have not in the past.

For years now the Blues have had one of the best academies in the world but with nothing to show for it on the senior level. That will surely change under the tutelage of Lampard. He is expected to give first-team opportunities to players like Reece James, Mason Mount and Ethan Ampadu, while Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek should also win back their places when they return from their respective injuries. This will be even important considering the two-window ban that will prevent the club from making  any new signings this season.

While there might be more experienced and better managers available on the market, it doesn’t mean that they are a better fit for Chelsea. At this point, Frank Lampard seems to be the man who can do the best job with what is available at Stamford Bridge.

There is always a risk of failure involved with hiring someone like Lampard, but the rewards at stake are far too great for the club not to pull the trigger.