Frank Lampard is facing a challenging summer at Chelsea
Frank Lampard passionately controlled the Chelsea locker room as a player but doing so as the Blue’s manager will require more finesse.
Chelsea are squarely in the midst of a battle for Champions League qualification that would validate the sense of progress pervading Stamford Bridge. Manager Frank Lampard and the higher-ups at the club are equally as excited about how much talent the Blues are set to acquire this summer.
Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech are two big-names that will definitely bolster Chelsea’s ranks next season. Both attackers will arrive in England with high price tags and massive expectations. They are the sort of signings that are intended to transform Chelsea from good to great.
The club isn’t done with their summer business either. It seems that a move bringing Kai Havertz to Stamford Bridge is only a matter of time. There’s still haggling over his transfer fee, but the German midfielder would give Chelsea another bright young attacking talent to integrate into their squad.
What does Frank Lampard need to work on at Chelsea?
There lies the challenge for Lampard. Buying shiny new players is a great way to please fans and elevate expectations. It’s also a great way to upset the current squad. Lampard insists that isn’t happening at the moment, but it’s an issue that could easily divide the squad this summer.
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His ability to seamlessly integrate his new players into the squad could easily define Lampard’s immediate tenure with the club. Some players will have to be offloaded to make room. N’Golo Kante was the engine behind the club’s recent title-winning squads, but at 29 years of age, the Blues are ready to sell him while they can still earn a hefty transfer fee for his services.
Veterans like Willian and Olivier Giroud could also be shown the exit door. Both have made meaningful contributions to this year’s team, but don’t seem to have a regular place in next year’s edition of Chelsea.
The more difficult moves for Lampard to make will be convincing the team’s young, emerging stars that they can stay put and continue to grow. Tammy Abraham has played a lot of starting football for Chelsea this season, but Werner will be the team’s first-choice No. 9 once he arrives. Abraham might not want to serve as his understudy as he tries to cement his place in the England squad for European competition.
Someone like Ruben Loftus-Cheek could also agitate for a move away. He’s been tipped at big things ever since his youth days at the club, but he’s failed to really become a Premier League star. At 24-years-old, he might see his future best served elsewhere.
The good news for Lampard is that he won’t be accused of forsaking young players altogether. Christian Pulisic’s excellent play since the re-start will earn him a place in next season’s starting XI. Reece James appears to be one of the best young right backs in Europe. Mason Mount might be squeezed slightly for playing time in the midfield, but it’s hard to imagine him falling out of the squad for too long.
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Nonetheless, Lampard needs to pay careful attention to how he manages the Chelsea dressing room next season. Making ruthless decisions about dropping last year’s stalwarts in favor of new signings might cost him valuable equity with the squad. A bit of skill and finesse will be required to keep Lampard’s new squad happy. That’s also the best way for Chelsea to win silverware next season.