2. These are terribly trying times, and the world, never mind Chelsea, has been devastated during most of Lampard’s managerial tenure at the club
The times in which we live are unprecedented in almost all of our lifetimes. Not since the terrible Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 has the world been impacted so dramatically by such a devastating illness. Life as we knew it has been turned on its head now for almost a full year. Even the more seasoned of us have never seen anything like this ever. Meanwhile, since football continues to give fans of the Beautiful Game some semblance of normalcy in a world turned upside-down, it is conducted in empty stadiums, devoid of the pride, the passion, and the patriotism of the home fans and visitors alike for the sides that hold our hopes for victory and glory. In this most trying of situations since World War II, English football persists, a tribute to the spirit, the fortitude, the stick-to-it-iveness of the England People, and of the fans of its football clubs throughout the world.
In the midst of all of this, a new Chelsea manager in his second year as such took over a Blues squad in 2019/2020 and against all odds led the side to Champions League qualification, tied on points for third place. And that, leading a side that had been banned from any transfers in the previous summer and whose management had decided against any transfers in the January window, as well.
Yet, against all odds, Lampard persisted. Receiving great support from three of his best, Olivier Giroud, Christian Pulisic, and Willian, he, by some quirk of fate, was able to earn a prized Champions League qualification. Again, with no transfers for a full year. This achievement can be counted amongst the most improbable and maybe even incomprehensible of any Chelsea side’s performances in recent memory. It was a masterful display of grit and determination by the freshman manager with little support in new players and in his first year as the gaffer of one of the most important and successful clubs in the best league in the world. For that performance alone, Lampard deserves a pass.