It’s always great to hear from Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, and I know I am not in the minority by saying that.
Lampard is clearly still involved with our owners and speaks to them regularly, often being invited to games. I think they value his opinions, as they should, and take things that he says on board.
I still maintain that he should be in a boardroom role at Chelsea, but I just think he wants to coach still.
Anyway, Lampard has spoken about current Chelsea, and Lampard believes.
‘They’re young, that’s a fact, and with a young team it’s not always easy to have great consistency,’ Lampard told TNT Sports Mexico.
‘Maybe to win things [with young players], it’s not always easy. But it’s a strategy that Chelsea have taken.
‘At the moment and the start of the season they’ve had now, it feels like they are going in the right direction. There is lots of young talent, especially in forward areas. There are lots of options to change in-game or change and stay fresh.
‘After two or three years of being in a transition and a difficult time, change of ownership, change of managers, change of players and the squad… there’s a lot of new faces and players… it’s understandable that they haven’t competed.
‘But I do feel now that they’re in a good position to challenge for top four again, to be where Chelsea expect to be.’
‘Maybe to win things [with young players], it’s not always easy. But it’s a strategy that Chelsea have taken.
‘At the moment and the start of the season they’ve had now, it feels like they are going in the right direction. There is lots of young talent, especially in forward areas. There are lots of options to change in-game or change and stay fresh.
‘After two or three years of being in a transition and a difficult time, change of ownership, change of managers, change of players and the squad… there’s a lot of new faces and players… it’s understandable that they haven’t competed.
‘But I do feel now that they’re in a good position to challenge for top four again, to be where Chelsea expect to be.’
Lampard believes Arsenal and Liverpool stand out as the main contenders to break Manchester City’s stranglehold on the Premier League title this season.
On Arsenal’s chances, Lampard explained: ‘They brought in lots of players and their squad is really strong in all areas.
‘They can take one out, bring one in and they have a lot of options there.
‘They have taken City close for the last two seasons so you have to say Arsenal are in the conversation to compete with City.
‘I think Liverpool again but maybe it’s more difficult for them because of the change of manager and because Jurgen Klopp was so distinct in his style.
‘The change for Liverpool might be difficult but I still think they have a really good squad and the new manager has started well.’
The ex-England midfielder added: ‘Those are the teams I would expect to compete again but the beauty of the Premier League is you have teams like Aston Villa, teams like Brighton and Newcastle, who are all improving.
‘Their squads are stronger than ever, good coaches, so there are always surprises in the Premier League.
‘I think Aston Villa are a great example of that with what they have done in the last two or three seasons.’
Some great insights and opinions there from Super Frank, and I truly hope he is right and Chelsea are finally getting back to where we should be!