Chelsea: Lingering concerns over Frank Lampard are valid but worth the risk

It is probably the worst-kept secret in football that Frank Lampard is going to be the next manager of Chelsea Football Club. But what can Chelsea fans expect when one of their biggest legends returns as manager?

Deep down every Chelsea fan knows the appointment of Frank Lampard comes with its fair share of risk. He has only one season’s worth of experience as a manager, taking Derby County to the Championship playoff final in his lone season in the managerial hot seat. That just barely masks the reality that the only reason he is even being considered for the Chelsea job is because of what he achieved there as a player.

We have seen the same at Manchester United last season, when they appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjear, despite his lack of credentials and past failures as manager, on the back of a promising string of results as an interim. The Red Devils’ board must be ruing their decision now as Manchester United finished trophy-less and outside the Champions League qualification spots in a season where Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal struggled in their own right.

This makes it understandable for Chelsea fans to fear the club might be making the same mistake by handing over the managerial keys to Lampard.

After all, his Derby side finished with fewer points, scored less and conceded more than they had under Gary Rowett the season before. And there is no way in hell Chelsea would even think of appointing Gary Rowett.

Of course, one can point out how neither Pep Guardiola nor Zinedine Zidane had any experience as managers before taking over at FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively.

But Guardiola had Lionel Messi. Zidane had Cristiano Ronaldo. Who is Lampard going to have at Chelsea? The only player who could have even come close has already left to play under Zidane at Real Madrid.

Lampard will have a talented group of young players at Chelsea. Callum Hudson-Odoi is one of football’s most sought after teenagers and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could easily be one of the best midfielders in Europe if he can get past his injury issues. Tammy Abraham scored 26 goals at Aston Villa last season while Reece James was in the Championship Team of the Season during his impressive spell at Wigan. On top of that, Lampard has already spent a season working with Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori at Derby County.

During his brief stint at Derby County, Lampard has shown his ability to work with youngsters and hone their talents. This should come in handy under Chelsea’s two-window transfer ban, which will give the youngsters more opportunities to prove their worth. Lampard will also have the opportunity to shape the incoming Christian Pulisic to fill the gap left behind by Eden Hazard.

The current Chelsea squad is far from challenging for the Premier League or the Champions League. But in a few years time, with the right development of the youth and a few solid signings, Chelsea might have one of the most exciting teams in Europe. And Lampard might just be the man to steer this young core of players to that stage.

He might not be the best manager in the world but he is just what Chelsea need right now.