Frank Lampard insists Todd Boehly is “passionate” about bringing success back to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea owner Boehly was confronted by angry fans during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton, with supporters growing increasingly concerned about the club’s direction under the US tycoon. Boehly also went into the dressing room after the Brighton game - which has become a post-match ritual after every match - and called the season “embarrassing.”
But Lampard, installed as the club’s caretaker boss until the end of the season, insisted Boehly’s heart is in the right place as he also said he had no problem with him coming into the dressing room after games. Lampard, who is looking for a miracle fight back against Real Madrid, said: “With regard to the ownership and fans, passion goes both ways.
“The fans show passion and I don’t think the owners or anybody who comes to Chelsea expect anything else. The fans have complete passion and want the club to do well and we have been fortunate enough that the club has been successful over the last 20 years or so. That means you want more of it.
“I don’t think anybody needs schooling on that. I think it is clear and also the word passion is coming from both sides. These are passionate owners who want to bring a real vision to the club and we are probably the early stage of the process in those terms.
“Passion is normal. I remember the moments as a player of owners first coming into the dressing room. It first happened at Chelsea, never anywhere else before and I remember being really happy that they were there.
“You could touch them, you could high five them and listen to them and feel them. That’s not a bad thing in terms of the identity of the club and where you want to get to. There is no problem with it from my point of view.”
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Lampard also believes that the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night will be more positive than after Brighton and the fans can help inspire a miraculous comeback. Lampard added: “I have no doubt it will be positive. The rest is down to us as a team to play with a real desire and know how to turn this game around.
“I have been here too many times before at this level of game with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on an evening midweek knockout Champions League game to understand that the atmosphere will be great.
“And again now it is time for us to tap into that early in the game and make sure we engage the crowd throughout, because they can help us for sure.”
