Several stars will be delighted at ’s return but some may become unsettled with the iconic ex-midfielder back as head coach.
After co-owner decided on Sunday, the Blues.
Chelsea legend Lampard is adored for his playing career at Stamford Bridge and returns for a second spell as boss following his first stint between 2019 and 2021.
Lampard started his managerial career with Derby County and was most recently in charge of Everton .
Here are the winners and losers from Lampard’s return…
Frank Lampard
When Frank Lampard lost his job at Everton, many predicted that he may not get another Premier League role and would have to return to the Championship for work – but his credit and prestige as a Chelsea player sees him get another shot.
Chelsea may be 11th in the Premier League and their top-four hopes are all-but over – but they remain in the Champions League quarter-finals. If Lampard can do the unthinkable and guide his team to glory, he would surely be rewarded with a longer contract. An unimaginable scenario when he left Everton earlier this year.
He is an undeniable winner from this situation, even if Chelsea drop out of Europe and slide further down the top-flight table, because most will point the finger at Todd Boehly and Chelsea’s hierarchy if things go wrong, . No-one expected a Lampard return, but here we are.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount has a fantastic relationship with Frank Lampard, who he idolised growing up and cites as one of his favourite players. Mount played under Lampard at both Championship side Derby County and Chelsea as a key player.
Mount scored his first Chelsea goal during Lampard’s home debut as Blues manager and the duo’s special bond could be crucial in deciding Mount’s future, .
The 24-year-old England international arguably played some of his best football under Lampard and despite due to injuries and his uncertain future, he will surely come back into the fold now Lampard is back.
Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva is a massive fan of Frank Lampard and has previously admitted that the Englishman is the main reason he decided to join the Blues in 2020. After Chelsea won the 2020-21 Champions League under Thomas Tuchel – a few months after Lampard left in January of that season – .
Silva told in 2021: ‘He hit the nail on the head from day one, saying, ‘You don’t need to worry about your age, it’s not a concern for me at all. I’ll count on you absolutely, and I want to listen to what you have to say’ – I was over the moon with that, knowing everyone at the club, top to bottom, wanted me here.’
In February, it emerged that Thiago Silva’s wife liked a tweet which called ex-boss Graham Potter a ‘deadbeat’ manager who ‘doesn’t know what he is doing’. It seems that and that is something Lampard is arguably better equipped for, given his playing career.
N’Golo Kante
N’Golo Kante is another winner here. Frank Lampard has made no secret of his love for the Frenchman, describing him as a ‘big game player’ and ‘the best in the world at being a destructor (winning the ball back)’ as well as openly discussing how hard he works in training and how Chelsea miss him when he is out injured.
Kante and like Mason Mount, Lampard’s return may be a deciding factor in getting the deal done given their strong relationship. The 32-year-old and from now until the end of the season.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Frank Lampard’s return could be bad news for the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga. The goalkeeper is not the biggest fan of Lampard and aimed a dig at him in the summer, describing his tactics as ‘not so elaborate’ and confirming that he was happier playing under Thomas Tuchel, who he felt brought ‘control’ to the side.
The Spaniard was said to have , which allegedly hindered his play and created uncertainty in the side’s defence. Lampard favoured Edouard Mendy and even Willy Caballero in his first spell, so it’s not looking good for Arrizabalaga.
Kai Havertz
During his first stint in charge of the Blues, and was left ‘shocked’ by both the speed of training and physical demands of English football.
Havertz has registered just seven Premier League goals this season and Lampard is said to have requested the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang while he was Chelsea boss the first time around, before he arrived under Thomas Tuchel.
Aubameyang was frozen out by Graham Potter but with Lampard being a fan of the striker, it may result in less opportunities for Havertz.
Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella moved to Chelsea from Brighton in the summer and when his old Seagulls boss Graham Potter followed in September, he could not believe his luck to be working under a manager who he already had a solid connection with.
The Spaniard is a good option in a back three due to his versatility but he is likely to see less game time under Frank Lampard, who prefers to play with a back four.
Lampard will likely go with Ben Chilwell as his preferred left-back and a more natural centre-back alongside Thiago Silva.
