Chelsea must give Frank Lampard time to succeed

Frank Lampard’s enterprising tactics show he deserves time to succeed as Chelsea manager.

It took less than a month; #LampardOut is already a thing. Those who endorse this hashtag, however, have it wrong. Chelsea’s record goalscorer deserves time to prove he can cut it as the Blues’ manager.

Lampard’s enterprising tactics should overshadow the disappointment of going winless during his first three games in charge. Losing 4-0 to Manchester United on the opening weekend of the 2019/20 Premier League season looked like a harbinger of doom, but improvements have been noticeable since.

Chelsea lost the UEFA Super Cup against Liverpool on Wednesday, but Lampard’s men largely outplayed the Champions League holders during a 2-2 draw, only to be on the wrong end of penalties.

The Blues couldn’t beat Leicester in the home opener in the league, drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge, but once again the performance endorsed Lampard’s enterprising tactics.

In each game, Chelsea played some terrific stuff because Lampard has imposed a style and shape designed to let natural technicians thrive. Chief among those technicians is 20-year-old Mason Mount, a Lampard favorite from the Chelsea academy who flourished when the two worked together at Derby County last season.

Mount has been given the catbird seat at the tip of midfield. He’s Chelsea’s true No. 10, the player charged with being the creative fulcrum of the team.

It’s a role he lived up to after getting on the scoresheet early against the Foxes:

https://twitter.com/SkySportsStatto/status/1163146430145617921

Mount’s inclusion is a risky ploy for Lampard because while the midfielder is an obvious talent, his inexperience is likely to cost the Blues points at times. Even so, Lampard has little choice but to trust youth while the club operates under a transfer ban that prevented signings this summer and will do the same during the winter window.

Showing faith in Mount is more than just a necessity for Lampard, though. It’s also an endorsement of what he’s trying to build at Chelsea, namely an exciting, attacking team built around precocious schemers.

Part of the blueprint has involved starting Christian Pulisic in the last two matches. The creative forward was signed from Borussia Dortmund before the transfer ban was enforced, and has already showcased his ability to provide flair in the final third.

Pulisic is also 20, and along with 18-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi, he can refresh Chelsea’s options on the flanks once the latter returns from injury. A refresh is necessary with Eden Hazard now plying his trade for Real Madrid, while Pedro is 32 and Willian just a year younger.

Developing a youthful core of potential match-winners is the most challenging and important part of Lampard’s job. It’s a process Chelsea can’t afford to bring to a premature end.

Nor can the Blues ignore the stylistic changes Lampard is making.

This isn’t the Chelsea of Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte, pragmatic, muscular and geared to strike on the break. It isn’t even the Chelsea of last season when Maurizio Sarri loosened the shackles somewhat but still leaned more toward caution than attacking risk.

Lampard wants the Blues to be proactive and daring. His team is tasked with pressing high and bossing possession.

When it works, as it did at times against Leicester, Chelsea are a great watch:

https://twitter.com/BBCMOTD/status/1163114807710687232

Younger, quicker players have the energy and bravado to keep hunting the ball. Mount dispossessing Wilfred Ndidi to set up his goal was theory put into ruthlessly efficient practice.

Given time, Chelsea winning the ball high and quickly profiting will become a more familiar sight the way it is for Manchester City and Liverpool.

Lampard is trying to get his team to the same level, but he doesn’t have the same quality to work with. In the meantime, he’s finding ways to get the most from what he has.

One of those ways involves leaning on Olivier Giroud as the focal point of the forward line. The former Arsenal man’s ability to play with his back to goal and link with others will quickly get Pulisic and Mount up to speed.

Giroud proved his worth against Leicester with a number of typically deft touches to create chances for runners from midfield:

Another reminder of Lampard’s intention to make Chelsea younger and more exciting going forward is him developing 21-year-old Tammy Abraham into the target man Giroud is.

It’s another attempt to put the onus on the dynamic, forward-thinking players in the squad. The process extends to midfield where Lampard moving N’Golo Kante back into a central role has meant more freedom for cultured playmaker Jorginho to get on the ball and push forward.

Jorginho’s eye for a pass and technique will underpin his manager’s vision for a more expansive style. So will the efficiency of Mateo Kovacic, whose neat distribution will be a greater feature on Lampard’s watch.

Chelsea haven’t shown patience with managers often during Roman Abramovich’s era as owner. Yet the rewards for trusting a club legend to establish himself in the dugout far outweigh settling for another quick change and a short-term fix.

Giving Lampard time can yield an entertaining team, one built to last and capable of posing a greater challenge to Liverpool and City.