London (AFP) – Frank Lampard has accepted the challenge of taking over Chelsea just one year into his managerial career as the return of the club’s record goalscorer to Stamford Bridge was confirmed on Thursday.
Chelsea’s latest managerial search following Maurizio Sarri’s move to Juventus has seen a change of tack, with sentiment backed over a stellar coaching CV.
In response to Sarri’s sour relationship with the Chelsea support, Roman Abramovich has turned to a fans’ favourite to ease the Londoners through what could be a difficult season of transition.
That decision is a risky one for both. Lampard lacks experience and could see his burgeoning reputation as a coach burned at a club where no manager has lasted long under Abramovich.
However, his appointment hints at a change of approach by the Blues.
Lampard’s one campaign at Derby led the Rams to the brink of a return to the Premier League, only to fall short in the Championship play-off final against Aston Villa.
But his season in England’s second tier showed a willingness and ability to develop young players, including some of Chelsea’s academy products, that made him a perfect fit for the current state of affairs at Stamford Bridge.
– Midfield goal machine –
As a player, Lampard joined Chelsea just before the wave of Abramovich investment swept the club into its most successful era.
He scored an incredible 211 goals from midfield and won three Premier League titles, the Champions League and Europa League among a 13-trophy haul.
Yet Chelsea are no longer the Premier League’s big spenders.
Abramovich’s interest has wained since his UK visa was not renewed last year and even the riches of a Russian billionaire have been overtaken by Abu Dhabi’s backing of Manchester City.
Indeed, it is unlikely Chelsea will be able to spend anything on new recruits this summer as they serve a two-window transfer ban.
And their best player of recent times has also gone after Eden Hazard completed a 100-million euro ($114 million) move to Real Madrid.
The transfer ban, coupled with the loss of Hazard, should temper expectations and presents an opportunity for the kind of culture change the club’s hierarchy have wanted for some time.
John Terry, who made his debut in 1998, remains the last Chelsea academy graduate to become a first team regular.
Lampard used his Chelsea contacts to take Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount on loan at Derby last season where both excelled.
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2xw6MF2
No comments:
Post a Comment