Will Frank Lampard be given the time he needs to be successful at Chelsea?

We expect Chelsea to announce at some point in the next few days that Frank Lampard has agreed to leave Derby County and take over as Chelsea manager on a three-year contract. His appointment coupled with the impending transfer ban comes at arguably the most important moment of Roman Abramovich’s reign as owner. Is the appointment an indication that finally, after all these years, the club is willing to change their approach. 

Some will argue that they have no choice, that they have to change because of the transfer ban and to that argument I agree. Others will believe that the club has always had the intention to change but, because of our recent history (one moment Champions, the next woeful) there has been a reluctance to do so until our fortunes stabilised which is a point that has some merit also. 

Whatever the argument and whatever your point of view is, we can all agree on one thing, this summer is arguably our biggest since Roman Abramovich took over our football club and it’s imperative that we have the right people in place to maintain our position as one of the biggest clubs in Europe and in the Premier League. The question we all need to ask ourselves is whether or not we will have the patience to do so, can Chelsea challenge straightaway this coming season?

It seems that the primary focus appears to be the impending transfer ban (at the current time) and the fact that the club will need to implement those who have spent time out on loan or on the fringes of the matchday squad in the past 12-24 months. As much as I understand that argument with some people talking four, five or even six names being mentioned to be included in our first team next season, it’s not going to be the case but instead, it will be a gradual inclusion over time with the majority becoming heavily involved in a years time. 

Eden Hazard and Gary Cahill are confirmed as leaving the first team squad. They are the only ones so far with plenty of reports of others following suit such as Gonzalo Higuain and Mateo Kovacic who both were loaned to the club last season. It’s safe to say that one or two will follow but not many more. For those who leave, they will be replaced by players making their return from loan, having been frozen out last season in addition to Christian Pulisic who signed back in January. These will be those with top level experience such as Kurt Zouma, Michy Batshuayi and the forgotten Danny Drinkwater. As for the others? It will be a slow implementation in the first team squad first and foremost followed by the actual first team.

The reason I believe this to be the case for the coming season is that Frank Lampard or whoever takes the Chelsea job this summer will be under no illusions. We find ourselves in a difficult situation but have the expectation to meet the targets which is the same every season - to finish in the top four and Champions League qualification in addition to doing our best to win a trophy. 

The caveat to this with Frank Lampard is that he has seemingly sort assurances from Roman Abramovich to allow him time to reach those targets with a potential overhaul of the playing staff within the next two transfer windows and the people involved in the background. 

You would have to imagine that every person that walks through the doors of the Chelsea training ground in Cobham is expected to bring in their own people to work with them. Frank Lampard will be no different but the fact that it seems that Roman Abramovich has agreed to give him time marks a major change in his approach for the first time. 

Let’s not forget that if he is appointed as expected, Frank Lampard will be the first English/British manager appointed by Abramovich. He is a living legend of our football club and became pivotal (with others such as Cech, Terry, Drogba, Cole, Ballack etc) to our success for over a decade. The driving force from midfield leading Roman Abramovich’s charge to turn Chelsea into one of the biggest clubs in Europe, Frank Lampard is now expected to do the same but this time to maintain our position this coming season, to then build for the future. 

Think of it as a crossroads for our football club right now. It’s not going to be a summer spending big money to bolster the options we have in our squad. It’s to take a step back, consolidate, take stock of the valuable assets we have as players in the first team squad now that will remain, in addition to those who return to the club this summer - to then decide on the best way forward. 

For the first time, Chelsea will make an appointment that is focused on the long-term, on stability and for the future going against the grain of everything we have become used to in the last seventeen years. 

Despite the assurances given to Frank Lampard, despite reports of a two-year period of safety and a promise to be patient, will Roman Abramovich, Chelsea Football Club and the Chelsea supporters be as patient as we will need to be?

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