Acid test for new Chelsea manager
LAMPARD: CLUB’S FAVOURITE SON THROWN IN DEEP END
First up for him is Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Frank Lampard might have hoped to ease his way into the Chelsea hot seat at his beloved Stamford Bridge but his topflight managerial bow takes place on hostile territory against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The return of Chelsea’s record goalscorer to west London as manager was the most intriguing development of the summer and Sunday’s blockbuster is the standout clash as the Premier League cranks back into life.
It all begins on Friday when last season’s runners-up Liverpool host newcomers Norwich City and continues on Saturday when champions Manchester City go to West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur host Aston Villa.
Few would bet against City and Liverpool slugging it out for the title again – such was the unforgiving nature of last season’s duel when they won their last 14 and nine league games respectively to finish with 98 and 97 points.
Chelsea, then under Maurizio Sarri, were a distant third on 72 points, ahead of Tottenham (71) with Manchester United sixth after a woeful finish in which they won none of their last five games, signing off with a home defeat by relegated Cardiff City.
While Sarri’s methods were never embraced by the fans, the Italian steered Chelsea into the Champions League and won the Europa League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a dream start to life as Manchester United manager last season, taking 26 points from his first 10 league games after replacing Jose Mourinho.
But the bounce did not last and the Norwegian will find himself under intense scrutiny as fans seek tangible evidence that United can challenge City.
Solskjaer has been backed in the transfer market with Swansea City flying machine Daniel James and Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka snapped up before
United this week paid an eye-watering £80 million for Leicester City’s commanding England centreback Harry Maguire.
Chelsea’s transfer ban has taken them on a new course and Lampard will continue the methods that served him well at Derby County last season.
Lampard can still call upon plenty of top-quality men such as France midfield anchor N’Golo Kante and Willian but Chelsea appear short on attacking star quality now that Eden Hazard has departed for Real Madrid.
American striker Christian Pulisic is their only new addition, having signed in January before returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan, so Lampard will be given breathing space.
Tottenham have Harry Kane fresh and in £65 million midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, signed from Olympique Lyonnais, have made a statement signing.
They also added Argentine Giovani Lo Celso from La Liga side Real Betis on loan and Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon.
Today’s opponents Villa, back in the top flight after being relegated in 2016, have signed 12 new players and look the bestequipped of the promoted sides to survive. –