Why re-hiring Frank Lampard makes real sense for Chelsea chiefs Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali… and it’s as much to do with an incoming Earl’s Court PR war as an on-the-field fix
Appointing Frank Lampard as interim manager is likely to do little for Chelsea’s season: A Champions League triumph feels a long, long shot – although that’s been said before – and there is nothing to play for domestically.
What it will do, though, is bring the buzz back. Not the buzz of boos, as heard last time out at Stamford Bridge under Graham Potter, nor particularly of short-term optimism, but simply of excitement.
Lampard’s return is a great move to win some goodwill for Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali ahead of one of the most important periods in the club’s 113-year history. The future of Stamford Bridge – and what Chelsea do next – looms large.
In the 10 months since the Boehly-Clearlake consortium took over from Roman Abramovich the new owners can hardly be accused of lacking in financial backing or interest: Near £600million has been spent on players, two managers have been sacked and the figureheads have been at Cobham often enough to leave some players spooked.
But while the commitment is there, a crowd poll on the new regime would not scream back competency. Their team are 11th in the Premier League, the squad is bloated and Potter looked a bad fit from the start.
Frank Lampard will return as Chelsea boss just over two years since he was sacked by the club
The decision by Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly (left) and Behdad Eghbali (right) to bring back a club legend as interim boss is a great move that is likely to win them some goodwill from fans
Ticket price increases have been hinted at – although not confirmed – in club-organised fan forums and those would be unlikely to go down well at a time of economic strife vs big Premier League spending.
But the big issue coming up is Stamford Bridge vs Earl’s Court. The official line is Chelsea are ‘exploring options’ about moving away.
The Blues want to settle on a choice between their home and moving less than a mile away by the summer. Architects are being felt out, preferences are being formed – and the mood music indicates Earl’s Court is becoming…