In a shocking turn of events, Chelsea, a club known for its high standards and competitive spirit, ended the season in 12th place. The club’s interim manager, Frank Lampard, did not mince words as he criticized the team’s performance and warned the incoming manager, Mauricio Pochettino, about the challenges ahead.
A Season of Disappointment
Chelsea’s season ended with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United, marking a disappointing finish for the club. Lampard, a Stamford Bridge legend, returned as interim manager following the dismissal of Graham Potter in April. His tenure, however, was marked by eight losses in 11 matches.
“The standards collectively have dropped,” Lampard stated candidly. “The standards of the collective for a club like Chelsea have to be at the maximum or you won’t be physically competitive enough, or you won’t be able to play at the highest level.”
For more insights into Chelsea’s recent developments, you might find these articles interesting:
- Mauricio Pochettino has signed a contract to become the next Chelsea manager
- A season of struggles: Chelsea’s final game without Todd Boehly
- Frank Lampard opens up about training concerns amid Chelsea’s struggles
A Warning for Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino, who has recently signed a contract to become Chelsea’s next permanent manager, was given a stark warning by Lampard. Despite expressing his admiration for Pochettino, Lampard emphasized the need for the club to manage expectations.
“Pochettino’s history tells you he works at clubs of this sort of level and then letting him get to work with the players, he creates a solid identity in a team that can win some games,” Lampard said. “Those things aren’t always overnight things, so we have to be careful with expectations a little bit.”
The Road Ahead
The new manager will have a lot on his plate as he begins the rebuilding process. Lampard suggested that the first thing Pochettino will need to do is cut down a bloated squad. “The new manager can get the squad into the place he needs it to be – the squad has been too big and that has been the biggest challenge,” he said.
