Goals big issue for Chelsea coach Lampard
‘I enjoy the pressure of expectation’
LONDON, Aug 6, (RTRS): If Frank Lampard is still Chelsea manager in a year’s time it will be because he has succeeded in solving the club’s most pressing problem – how to score without Eden Hazard.
Last season the Belgian forward finished with 16 goals and 15 assists, meaning he was involved in almost half of the west London side’s Premier league goals.
His ability to hold the ball up, allowing others to come into the play, and defense-splitting passes have been the distinguishing feature of Chelsea’s attack for years and his close season departure to Real Madrid has left a gaping hole.
That has been widened further because unlike the 13 managers who have preceded him in the Roman Abramovich era, Lampard will not be able to plug the gap by spending his employer’s money.
Chelsea’s two-window transfer ban has overshadowed Lampard’s return to a club he played for with distinction for 13 years, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League.
With on-loan Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain having left, Lam
In this Sept 22, 2018 file photo, Lille’s Nicolas Pepe (center), in action during the French Ligue 1 soccer match against Nantes at the Lille Metropole stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, northern France. Arsenal have broken their transfer record on Aug 1 by signing winger Nicolas Pepe from Lille as the
London club tries to return to the Champions League. (AP)
pard must rely for goals on 32-yearold Olivier Giroud, who has never scored consistently for Chelsea in the Premier League, or the previously overlooked Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi.
Although 20-year-old Christian Pulisic has arrived from Borussia Dortmund in a 58 million pounds ($70.43 million) deal negotiated before the transfer ban, he remains a raw talent who must first justify selection ahead of Willian and Pedro.
The size of Lampard’s task is measured by the level of Chelsea’s decline, even with Hazard, since January when, under previous manager Maurizio Sarri they collected just 23 points from a possible 54, scoring 25 goals.
Although Chelsea ended the season by winning the Europa League, it was no surprise when Sarri departed, his style of football deemed one-paced and uninspiring.
So Lampard must re-energise the team to even hold onto Chelsea’s tag as best of the rest behind Premier League champions Manchester City and runners-up Liverpool.
Despite Lampard’s previous success at the club, the 41-year-old is promising “not to look backwards”, brushing aside his transfer handicap with the assertion he does not need to sign better players because the ones he has are already good enough.