FIVE-POINT PLAN

1 PICK A CENTRE-FORWARD

The curse of the Chelsea No.9 has become lore, and even Gonzalo Higuain – one of those strikers who seems to just naturally deflect balls into the goal – couldn’t muster much luck. Lampard and Morris have a big decision to make: whether to go with the raw dynamism of Tammy Abraham or the poised, low-velocity experience of Oliver Giroud (or, theoretically, Michy Batshuayi). Over-rotation will not help.

2 BRING N’GOLO KANTE BACK

Specifically: back into defensive midfield. Kante did very well last season, ignoring all his previous training in order to become a Ramires tribute act, but now his box-to-box Michael-jordan-plays-baseball period must end. By restoring Kante to the position where he’s best – perhaps the best – Chelsea will be signing a £150m player from within their own ranks.

3 ACCOMMODATE JORGINHO

There once was a great Jorginho at Napoli and there could still be a great Jorginho at Chelsea. But rebuilding the midfielder Pep Guardiola wanted so badly will require work from both sides. Lampard should try to push the Italian into more adventurous roles, and the Italian should try to be more adventurous in his passing and running, or another 3,000 five-yard passes await.

4 WORK OUT A STRUCTURE

Chelsea’s biggest problem in the past few years has been structural. With no designated director of football, managers acting as first-team coaches and no one really knowing the limits of their power, recruitment has been a source of much confusion and resentment – so much so, the brilliant Antonio Conte spent a season itching to leave the club. Petr Cech being technical director will help to bridge the chasm between board and boot room, but Chelsea need someone to implement a philosophy beyond the next season.

5 LET THE TEAM BREATHE

This is for the supporters – and it’s vital. Chelsea fans have begun to sound like Arsenal fans: statistical hyperbole, reactionary sentiment, false idols and Youtube scouting. They’ll need to lighten up as the club tries to rebuild.