Frank Lampard looks set to make a shock return to Chelsea as the interim manager of the Blues following last Sunday's sacking of Graham Potter. Lampard is considered a club legend at Stamford Bridge and following his step into management was appointed as Chelsea's head coach in 2019.
Despite securing a top-four spot during his first full season in charge, Lampard was sacked by the Blues in January 2021 following a poor run of form. Lampard's reign as manager in west London is mostly looked back on as a failure, especially following his sacking from Everton a few years later, however there were many challenging circumstances at play.
Not only did Lampard have to contend with the coronavirus pandemic pausing domestic football mid-way through the 2019/20 season, but Chelsea had also been placed under a transfer embargo. That factor actually in turn saw some positives go Chelsea's way, particularly in hind sight, with Lampard key to those decisions.
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Being unable to sign new players, Reece James, Mason Mount and many others from Chelsea's esteemed Cobham academy were handed major first-team opportunities. The named duo are now established senior stars, although Mount's future is up in the air with his contract up in 2024 and no clear progression over a new deal.
Despite only returning on a temporary basis, Lampard can make an immediate and lasting impact at the club he spent 13 years at as a player. So with that said, football.london has taken a look at the three things Lampard will do first as he looks set to become Chelsea's interim manager.
Mason Mount role
The 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on February 28, 2023 was the last time Mason Mount played for Chelsea. Injuries have plagued the midfielder but he has also been out of favour at Stamford Bridge with his future significantly up in the air.
In terms of long-term decisions, it is unlikely Lampard will have the power to request an extension for Mount, but he could certainly play a key role in negotiations without even meaning too. Mount has played his best football at Chelsea under Lampard and his return could see Mount come back into the fold.
By handing Mount more minutes, the 24-year-old would be able to prove that he is worthy of an extension to the new manager that will likely come in over the summer and therefore be key in contract talks.
Restore club to fans relationship
Under Graham Potter, the relationship between the supporters and the Chelsea board grew quite hostile. It was already on a slight knife edge the moment Potter arrived just because of the relationship the fanbase had developed with Thomas Tuchel.
Six months on from his arrival, Potter was sacked which left many confused as to why Tuchel was dismissed in the first place. Bringing back Lampard, a legend in SW6, immediately improves the relationship and a few good results could see the supporters firmly unite behind their club under a manager that everyone in west London wants to see succeed.
The reaction to the news of Lampard coming in was of glee from rival fans but it was also the dominant emotion for the Chelsea faithful. Lampard's return is likely the best case scenario as it gives the Chelsea owners time to make their decision over the next permanent manager, without too much pressure on the remaining results given Lampard's legendary status at the club.
Big game experience
If anyone is going to inspire Chelsea in their biggest games of the season against Real Madrid in the Champions League, it is Frank Lampard. He may not have the European pedigree of Luis Enrique or even Julian Nagelsmann as a manager, but as a player there may be no one better.
The 2012 Champions League triumph was one of great shock to Chelsea given the teams also in the latter stages of the competition. The Blues overcame both Barcelona and Bayern Munich on the way to victory, despite being mass underdogs, and that is where Chelsea find themselves in the 2022/23 season.
No one is expecting Chelsea to win the Champions League this season let alone beat reigning champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. However, Lampard could galvanise the players and explain exactly what it means to play for the badge on a European night.
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