It was 4th July 2019, Frank Lampard had just being announced as the new Chelsea head coach. After weeks of rumours and negotiations.
Chelsea had spent one solitary season under the much maligned Maurizio Sarri, whose style of play always came under much criticism to the extent it was renamed “sorry-ball” by gruntled supporters.
At the end of the season, though, Sarri guided Chelsea to a third place premier league finish and a Europa league win.
He left Chelsea to join Juventus at the end, Eden Hazard left to join Real Madrid, Chelsea were banned from signing new players until next summer, Frankie couldn’t have had a tougher job.
But its obvious that the decision by the Chelsea board to get Lampard was for the long term. He’s had to use most of the Chelsea academy graduates – who has never really got a chance at Stamford Bridge.
Abraham was recalled after a hugely successful loan spell at Villa Park which yielded 26 goals in the championship last season. Mason Mount, who shone in Lampard’s Derby team last season, was also recalled. Both players have caught the eye.
In the defence, Chelsea looked Shaky at the beginning failing to keep any cleansheet in their opening first six league games. They now have two in their last three. There’s still question marks about Zouma, who’s made a couple of errors that’s led to goals.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is also getting back to full fitness, Loftus-Cheek as well is still injured, the defence will tighten a little more when Rudiger returns – if Rudiger returns.
Lampard has got his style straight into the players’ heads. His tactics have been spot on so far, performances improving by the week. They have now won each of their last six games, momentum is surely at a high.
Chelsea are not title challengers yet, but they are certainly favourites for a top four finish.
Frank Lampard is a gamble paying off already, and things can only get better when he signs his own players.
This can only mean one thing, Chelsea have taken a new, different step, and it is one taken in the right direction.
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