After a bad month of December, the pressure is increasing at Chelsea. What are the expectations for Frank Lampard’s time as manager?
The festive period did not go as planned for the Blues. With one win in the last five, it is fair to say December was a huge disappointment for Frank Lampard. That form has led to some questioning whether he is still the right man for the job.
In the summer of 2019, Frank Lampard was appointed Chelsea head coach on a three-year contract. This contract represented a change in the Chelsea hierarchy. Rather than opting for a quick fix, Lampard was appointed to lead a long-term project to create stability, longevity, and success. It is almost reaching the half way mark to this three-year contract, so it would be appropriate to review Lampard’s progress thus far and what is yet to come.
On the surface level, Lampard achieved his objectives in his first year. Top four in the Premier League and qualification for the Champions League was accomplished. In addition to this, the Blues were unlucky not to add silverware to the season being finalists in the FA Cup but for in-game injuries would have been victorious. All in all, it was a solid debut season however if we delve deeper into Lampard’s work, that season was far more impressive.
Since John Terry’s debut in 1998, no Chelsea academy graduate has been able to establish themselves into the first team squad. Fans have longed for almost two decades for a player from the youth ranks to breakthrough, Lampard was able to deliver. Last season, the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Fikayo Tomori and Billy Gilmour were given debuts and games. Unlike under previous coaches where an academy player is given a brief cameo appearance and never to be seen again, these players became stalwarts of last season’s side. These are only a handful of names, not to now mention Reece James who has arguably become one of the best right backs in the league this season. Lampard’s trust in the youth not only resulted in the top four finish and a cup final but more importantly created a pathway from the academy to the first team.
The introduction of the youth players was not the only major change Lampard brought to the club; he has also introduced a new playing style. It is no secret that Roman Abramovich has yearned for attractive football. This was one of the major factors to Maurizio Sarri’s appointment but he left players and fans more confused than impressed using Eden Hazard as a get out of jail card on many occasions. Eden Hazard is a luxury Lampard was not afforded, not to mention a transfer ban too. Despite all this, the coach played some of the most attractive and expansive football Chelsea have seen in recent years. There was however, major flaws to the initial style with poor defensive displays.
Lampard’s accomplishments and achievements thus far have not been limited to just on field. The acquisitions coming into this season are a prime example of this. The likes of Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner named Lampard as a major factor to why they signed for the club. A coach’s ability to persuade players to sign and buy into their plan, is a gift not many coaches in world football have.
There’s no doubt that Lampard’s management has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the club however he is not above criticism. The foundations laid through the play style, youth players and exciting signings give reasons for why the future looks bright. But in the same breath some of the visible cracks in Chelsea also give reasons for concern.
It is clear the Blues have a defensive problem, despite a run of games with consecutive clean sheets it seems that the defensive fragilities have once again come to the light. While much of these poor defensive displays are down to individual errors or laziness it would be fair to question why Lampard has not irradiated this out of his side. When Chelsea are offensively lackluster, a championship winning side would stay defensively resolute and at the least get a draw. Games such as against Wolves show Chelsea are still way off from being a solid unit.
In addition to this, Lampard’s game management at times has been poor. The Blues have only mustered one win against a side in the top half this season and within these games the coach’s decisioning making has been questionable. Whether it be the team selection or substitution Lampard has not always made the right decisions.
Despite the negatives, Lampard has given more reasons for optimism than concern and at the very least will complete his three-year contract. However, as Chelsea football club by the end of this period silverware will be necessary. As of right now, there is no better man to guide this current crop of players to kick on and finish this season strong.