Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, was appointed at the beginning of the 2019/2020 season as a replacement for the departed Maurizio Sarri. Lampard was given the job on the back of his sole year of experience in management, during which he coached Derby County in the Championship, England’s second division. Lampard led his Derby side to the Championship promotion playoffs, where they lost in the finals to Aston Villa.
Lampard’s appointment coincided with the period Chelsea were banned from making any transfers by FIFA and lost talisman, Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, but he made do with what he had and ended up promoting a lot of academy products, handing first team debuts to 7 academy graduates. Chelsea finished the season in 4th place and got to the final of the FA Cup where they lost to Arsenal.
In the summer preceding this season, Chelsea spent over £200 million but is 3 points and 4 places worse off than at this same point last season.
Despite leading Chelsea to a 17-game unbeaten run this season, Lampard has received criticism for his approach and style of play, but the game against Manchester City on January 3rd seemed to give life to the rumours, as The Athletic reported immediately after the game that Chelsea’s board were exploring the possibility of firing Lampard after the club won only one of their last 7 games.
Lampard currently has the worst points per game ratio of any Chelsea manager since Roman Abramovich took over, with 1.67 points. The Roman era has been known for its success as well as its hire and fire policy, and Lampard may soon have to face that reality.
