Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made wrong decision as Frank Lampard battles for job

Chelsea: Pundit discusses Lampard and Abramovich’s ‘bond’

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is under severe pressure at Stamford Bridge in the wake of his side’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester on Tuesday night. The Blues are being linked with a host of managers ranging from Thomas Tuchel to Julian Nagelsmann at present, with the club misfiring in the Premier League. But with Roman Abramovich reportedly discarding Massimiliano Allegri as a possible appointment, that seems the wrong decision.

Chelsea hired Lampard in 2019 as their replacement for Maurizio Sarri.

The Italian had won the Europa League with the west London giants but, having cut a frustrated figure throughout the campaign, was allowed to leave for Juventus.

Chelsea thought Lampard would be the right man for the job and the 42-year-old, in his first season at the helm, did well.

Forced to go without buying anybody due to a transfer ban, and losing prized asset Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, many expected Lampard to struggle.

But he did well to defy expectations, steering his side to fourth in the Premier League table behind only Manchester United, Manchester City and champions Liverpool.

THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sporting knowledge with our tricky quiz

It was commendable. Good enough, under the circumstances, to buy him time – and backing from the board.

Chelsea then decided to spend big this summer, ignoring the coronavirus crisis by splashing out to recruit the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell.

But, at the current time of writing, the Blues are yet to get bang for their buck.

Chelsea’s new signings have all struggled to settle at Stamford Bridge and Lampard’s future, as a consequence of that and his side’s erratic performances, is under the cosh.

He seems to know it, too. He snapped at a journalist on Friday, saying: “To be fair, I think their confidence would be shot if they were to read some of the pieces you write at the minute.

DON’T MISS

Man Utd transfer news: Woodward decides Telles tactic for January

Real Madrid happy to agree Isco transfer

Tottenham star Son Heung-min ‘would consider Real Madrid move’

“I read some of them and some of the confirmation bias you always reflect on games with, it’s almost like a social media pundit to try and get a reaction in a negative way.

“I read the pieces when we were doing well as well and they didn’t go both ways.

“So for a journalist to be objective would be a big start. Because if the players do read it, I’d feel like that.”

Amid all that, BILD in Germany have claimed Chelsea have discarded the possibility of appointing Allegri.

But while his pragmatism may not be to everyone’s liking, the Italian is a serial winner with the credentials, unparalleled credentials, to take the job.

Juventus mourned Antonio Conte’s departure in 2014, believing the success they’d savoured under the current Inter Milan boss would be tough to replicate.

Allegri, despite winning the Serie A title with AC Milan in 2011, was seen as an underwhelming appointment.

But his time at Juventus was anything but.

Allegri steered them to five Scudettos on the trot during his time at the club, as well as helping them win the Coppa Italia on four separate occasions.

He also guided them to Champions League finals in 2015 and 2017, only losing them to Barcelona and Real Madrid.

And when it comes to replacing Lampard, Chelsea should surely contemplate hiring the 53-year-old.

Standards at the club have slipped in the two-and-a-half years since Conte’s departure. Chelsea lack a winning identity, and they’re currently not viewed as a superpower within the country – something their current standing in the table reflects.

But Allegri, strict on discipline and with a third for silverware, would be the right man for the job.

And whether Lampard can turn things around and keep speculation at bay is something only time will tell.

Source: Read Full Article