Frank Lampard is now the Chelsea manager
Frank Lampard is now the Chelsea manager

Chelsea need a long-term vision but Frank Lampard's appointment unlikely to change a revolving door attitude


After months of speculation, Frank Lampard was finally confirmed as the Chelsea manager on Thursday.

The Chelsea legend returns to Stamford Bridge with just one season of senior management under his belt, having led Derby to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final in May.

Not only is the task of managing a club of Chelsea's stature difficult enough, but he follows a campaign under Maurizio Sarri which delivered a third-place finish in the Premier League, European success in the Europa League and a domestic cup final.

It wasn't enough for the Italian though, who returned to his native country to take up a job with reigning Serie A champions Juventus.

For Lampard, he was always viewed as the only candidate to replace Sarri by the wider public.

Universally loved by the Chelsea faithful, and after a season where he nearly achieved success in the division below, how could the Blues look elsewhere?

It's an appointment that unites the fanbase following the split of opinion on Sarri. That was seemingly bridged in disapproval of 'Sarri ball' at the end.

On the surface, you can understand the excitement at Lampard's return to the Bridge. Any football fan craves a favourite coming back to lead the current class, and Chelsea have got their wish here.

However, the managerial turnover at Chelsea provides concern, and there's a good chance the dream will develop into a nightmare.

Frank Lampard is unveiled as the new manager of Chelsea
Frank Lampard is unveiled as the new manager of Chelsea

Including caretakers, Lampard becomes the 14th person in the Stamford Bridge dugout since Jose Mourinho's departure after three trophy-laden years in 2007.

This appointment could signal that the club may have developed more of a long-term approach. Antonio Conte and Carlo Ancelotti are the only two to boast multiple seasons at Chelsea in the past 12 years, showing how success is always an instant expectation.

For Lampard, there may be an understanding of his relative inexperience, but the Chelsea board will want something to show for his efforts, something gained during his debut year at the helm.

Ancelotti and Conte survived by delivering the Premier League title in their first seasons. Chelsea now find themselves among the chasing pack. The majority of the Premier League who are seemingly miles behind Liverpool and Manchester City, and a Premier League title will be a huge ask at any point over the next two or three seasons for anyone other than Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola.

The UEFA Super Cup, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup are all up for grabs this season though. Chelsea are not favourites in any of the competitions they are participating in, a likely first for the club.

The Blues are the least fancied of all four English clubs in Europe's elite competition, with 22/1 available on success. Shorter odds are available on nine other teams.

Even in the UEFA Super Cup, a one-off game against Liverpool, 16/5 is the price on a Chelsea victory. The Blues are also outsiders in their league opener against Manchester United too.

Success is a demand at Stamford Bridge, and even with five competitions to go at, Chelsea find the money against them to add to the club's honours board.

Derby were beaten in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final
Derby were beaten in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final

Ultimately, while Derby's season could be viewed as a positive, the actual success was exaggerated in order to fit the narrative.

The Rams made the play-offs again. They've been a regular feature in the post-season competition in recent years but this year they managed to go the extra step in reaching Wembley.

However, the thing that separated Derby's campaign from their nearest rivals seemingly came down to one element. Luck.

Luck is always needed for any successful side. But the problem with luck is that it can't be predicted.

The Rams, even with talented loanees such as Mason Mount and Harry Wilson, had issues with creativity. They managed to score more than their expected goals tally, which stood at 1.17 per match, while Derby were actually hitting 1.5.

The same can be said for goals conceded, with the actual figure standing lower than the expected. That proved hugely beneficial in the end.

Six goals scored in added time aided their tally, compared to just two conceded. Tom Lawrence against Reading combined with Jack Marriott and Mount's strikes against Norwich, are two examples were efforts in added time proved to be the difference.

It could be said that it could show a willingness to battle to the end, and that shouldn't be disregarded, but both came in games where the Rams had fewer chances on goal.

A look at the Sky Bet Championship table on performance, where chances created and conceded create a simulation of each game to conduct the final standings, puts Derby in 14th, the joint-biggest fall of any team alongside Nottingham Forest.


Frank Lampard specials (odds via Sky Bet)

  • To lose his first 3 PL matches as Chelsea manager - 50/1
  • To leave as Chelsea manager before the final game of the 19/20 Premier League season - 7/2
  • Not to be Chelsea manager on 25/12/19 - 6/1
  • Frank Lampard to leave Chelsea & Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to leave Man Utd before the end of the 2019/20 season - 20/1

Click here to view more


There was no point across the 46 games where more than three consecutive league wins were registered. The only time where they saw three wins came at the end of August into early September against Ipswich, Preston and Hull, all of whom finished in the bottom-half and had worse final season performance ratings.

You ask what would have happened in that play-off semi-final had Kiko Casilla and Liam Cooper not collided at the edge of the Leeds area. They were in control of the tie up until that point, before seemingly hitting self-destruct.

Derby caused problems for Leeds when they completely abandoned the system. The same applies in the final itself when they were 2-0 down, Villa struggled to cope with no system to come up against and the Rams managed to find the net.

You can't do that on a regular basis though, and you can't get away with it in the Premier League.

It's not just the tactical side of things but also dealing with the issues surrounding the club. Chelsea have to adjust to a transfer ban, alongside filling the hole left by Eden Hazard's departure to Real Madrid.

Youth development will be key, and the Blues have an army of players out on-loan. This is where Lampard could shine, but the likes of Mount and Fikayo Tomori simply aren't ready to step in to a top-four side at this point.

Mason Mount
Mason Mount: Not ready to make the step-up yet

In an age of multi-billion pound TV deals, it's understandable that football fans want the romantic storylines.

However, it's important to understand that knowing the club shouldn't prioritise over finding the right fit for the job.

Lampard's rookie managerial career could see him shine in the future, and given the player he was, there's every chance of reaching the very top in years to come.

For Chelsea though, trophies are always a requirement and this season is likely to be one where they will have little to show for their efforts.

That could cost Lampard, and tarnish a reputation built through many successful years in the heart of the Blues' starting XI.

Patience was needed in bringing Lampard back. Chelsea aren't in the right place currently, arguably their most difficult since Roman Abramovich took over at the club.

This is a situation for an experienced head, not one in the early stages of their career on the sidelines. Chelsea's short-termism has cost them long-term success that has benefitted the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, but the club fall back on the same tendencies time and time again.

The attitude won't change here, and Lampard will likely be the next victim in a long list of those who simply weren't seen as good enough at Stamford Bridge.


Odds correct at 2015 BST (04/07/19)

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