Premier League English

Frank Lampard’s first season as Chelsea boss and the new plan

The Blues boss has opened up on his first season as Chelsea manager, and goes on record to insist that he is happy to see his side currently occupying fourth place in the Premier League table and on course to secure qualification for the Champions League before the coronavirus pandemic brought an abrupt halt to the season.

The Blues icon is currently enjoying a successful second season in management after having taken over the reins from Maurizio Sarri last summer, having made his debut as manager with Derby the previous season.

Lampard took over the Stamford Bridge hot seat while the club was under the restraints of a transfer embargo, which left him no recourse but to rely on youth players with his hands tied during last summer’s transfer window proceedings. Not one to succumb under pressure, he quickly switched strategies and focused on the bright young turks, bringing in the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Billy Gilmour into his first XI squad, and the astonishing results told their own fabulous tale as the Blues quickly found form and leaped decisively into the top four.

Quick to switch lanes, Lampard didn’t need to be concerned about having to win over the Stamford Bridge faithful due to his status as a club legend from his playing days, and ably employed a fast-paced attacking style of football to stun the competition.

Although having well exceeded all the pre-season expectations placed upon him, the 41-year-old Blues manager is already looking ahead into ways he can improve his side’s chances of being serious challengers for the title next season.

He told Sky Sports that he would be sticking to his his youth-first policy next year, but will be focusing on his team being more consistent as Chelsea have struggled at times this year with inconsistent results, having suffered patches of poor form.

With the latest update for Premier League stars instructed to prepare for a ‘late May’ return to training, the Blues’ boss is insistent that his young team will be up and ready for the challenge next year.

“I’m always the first to criticise myself and look at what we could have done better,” Lampard said.

“I’m pretty happy with where we are in fourth. It was always going to be a difficult, competitive year for us to be in and around that top four and we’re there at the moment.

“How can we progress from here? We have youth; we’ve been searching at times for consistency, which I think can happen with a young team.

“I’m pretty happy with where we’re at but I want a lot more. As a manager, you’re never ready to settle.

“This situation has given us time for reflection but you do miss that day-to-day feeling of being with staff and players.

“I’ve tried to use some time to reflect and start planning and looking forward.

“As a manager, a lot of that preparation time is a big part of what we do; as a player, I’m sure they’re champing at the bit.”