Frank Lampard got a lot of free passes that previous Chelsea managers wouldn’t have got over the course of the 19/20 season.
Of course this was partly because he’s a club legend from his time as a player, but it was mainly because of the young squad he had at his disposal.
There were several players in there just making the step up from the Championship, and plenty more who had no experience of playing regularly for a top team like Chelsea.
He won’t have any excuses like that this season, after this wave of investment that is strengthening his team comprehensively.
Former Chelsea player Gus Poyet revealed that this is exactly how he thinks Lampard wants it:
“We are coming to a moment when it looks like Chelsea are really going to invest,” the Uruguayan said.
“It changes the parameters completely from last year. Last year was a transition year, “Let’s see how we do”, and it was very good.”
“With the possibility of all these players coming in now, Chelsea need to aim top two. How ambitious [Lampard] is, I think he would prefer this, I think he would prefer players coming in and going for the big possibilities.”
Anyone who has seen the way Lampard operates will know that’s the case. He’s not someone who goes for excuses, he goes for wins and trophies. He’d rather a top squad with more pressure than a weaker team where he has reasons to not be battling for top trophies.
He’s got new firepower, and hopefully some new leaders at the back. Bring on the Champions League…
