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As Frank Lampard leaves Stamford Bridge, the fanciful idea that Chelsea genuinely care about the club’s identity, connecting with the heart of the fan base or developing young players.
Very briefly, last season these things seemed to matter. Billionaire owner Roman Abramovich appears to have moved in a new direction when Lampard was appointed.
It was, however, only an illusion or, rather, a corporate trick to escape an awkward place with a transfer ban in play and fans increasingly restless, annoyed by the football of Maurizio Sarri and more. in addition disconnected.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (right) has shown he is not interested in creating a new identity for the club following Frank Lampard’s sacking
The most famous managers in Europe did not want this job. Eden Hazard, the team’s only real star, was on his way to Real Madrid and the return of Lampard, a true club legend as a Chelsea player, really lifted the spirits.
There were reservations about the lack of experience after only one season at Derby in the Championship, but he made up for the lack of managerial sense with his history as a player and his popularity among match supporters.
Abramovich’s first England manager brought with him a backroom team with familiar faces, with ties to the club’s successful academy and they put their trust in promising talent recently graduated from the youth ranks.
Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham answered well. Others also faltered, like Fikayo Tomori in the early stages and Billy Gilmour and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Lampard’s appointment hints at new chapter for club in sight of young players
He worked hard to reproduce himself through talented stars and worked magic with Mason Mount (L)
Lampard’s confidence in youngsters sparked excitement around a starving side that could thrive in the top flight
Chelsea won 5-2 over Wolves in September 2019 with a hat-trick from Abraham and one goal each from Tomori and Mount. These supporters of a certain vintage quickly drew enthusiastic parallels with Tommy Docherty’s team of the ’60s.
It was built around exciting players emerging from a prolific youth system and led to the greatest years in club history before Abramovich arrived.
If the crowd had been inside the bridge, it would have been more difficult to oust Lampard. The die-hard fans remain united, firmly behind the head coach and his commitment to young players.
He might have survived a little longer but in the end it wouldn’t have made much of a difference because if that proves anything, it proves that there is no room for sentiment regarding Abramovich.
Lampard failed to deliver results and struggled to fit in six high profile signings
His attempt to create a new vision for Chelsea was ruined by the tension in the camp and the loss of form.
The owner replaced Lampard because the results were poor. His points per game in the Premier League are low, hiding in the realms of Andre Villas-Boas and Luiz Felipe Scolari. They didn’t last long either.
Chelsea move away from the top four. Their Champions League status is again in doubt and that’s what touches him. Youth identity and development can be great, but winning trophies and staying with the elite is what matters most to Abramovich.
After spending around £ 220million on new players he was probably expecting a more successful campaign. Lampard, however, struggled to integrate six top-tier signings without losing the progress made last season and with a bigger squad and senior stars on the sidelines, there has been tension and friction in the camp as that the form has vanished.
Should Thomas Tuchel replace Lampard, where does that leave Chelsea stars?
Thomas Tuchel is set to replace him and it might make sense to bring in a German coach to make the most of those costly Bundesliga signings: Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic.
What does this mean for the young local players? Is there room for Havertz and Mount on the same team? Lampard found it difficult to welcome them both. Still, Mount has been Chelsea’s best and most consistent player over the past 18 months.
And where does that leave the quest for identity? When Carlo Ancelotti was appointed in 2009 he was tasked with producing a squad with an identity because despite all the success and two Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho, Abramovich wanted a team with more flair, adventure and personality. .
Nothing appeals to Abramovich, who wants success as well as a Chelsea side with personality
We can no longer pretend that Chelsea are serious about creating a new path for young people or bonding with their fanbase.
Ancelotti won the Double, playing attractive football, although mostly with the squad built by Mourinho, who later returned and won the Premier League again, playing the way his teams usually play and was sacked for the second time.
So you bring success and that is not enough. You issue an identity and that is not enough either. There really is no such thing as a pleasant ruthless Roman. It is very good. It’s his train and those he hires and fires and well paid for the perils they face.
But let’s no longer pretend that Chelsea are serious in creating a path for their young players or are serious in acquiring an identity or really care about what the fans want. This mistaken idea will go away with Lampard.
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