Blues fans will always carry torch for Lamps

V 2PM TOMORROW, SKY SPORTS TUCHEL: STATUS SAFE DESPITE FLOP

THOMAS TUCHEL says Frank Lampard’s legendary status at Chelsea is intact despite him failing as their manager.

Tuchel goes up against the man he replaced when he takes Chelsea to Lampard’s Everton tomorrow.

The Toffees have dropped into the bottom three, and relegation would further hurt Lampard’s coaching reputation after lasting just 17 months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

But Tuchel insists Lampard will always be a Chelsea great, with the former midfielder their all-time leading scorer with 211 goals.

The German revealed he received a good luck message from Lampard when he succeeded him 15 months ago and he is looking forward to meeting him for the first time tomorrow.

Tuchel, right, said: “We didn’t have lunch, but he sent me a very kind message after I took over at Chelsea that meant a lot. I was a huge fan of his as a player and he is – and will remain – a legend at our club. This is a given. I was very happy when he wrote me that message.

“We didn’t have the chance to go out and have lunch and then he took the chance to go and take charge of Everton. I’d love to meet him.” Chelsea drew 1-1 at Manchester United on Thursday, and Tuchel said: “We need the points, Everton need the points urgently as well. It’s an exciting week for me. I love to play at Old Trafford and everybody tells me about the atmosphere at Goodison Park and how emotional and how tough it is to play there.

“These are two nice fixtures, it’s what it’s all about.We expect a tough fight.”

Tuchel, who will be without the injured Mateo Kovacic and Callum Hudson-Odoi, said that Saul Niguez is likely to leave at the end of the season.

Niguez joined on a season’s loan from Atletico Madrid with an option for a permanent deal, but he has struggled to hold down a starting place and Tuchel conceded the midfielder has been unhappy with his lack of opportunities.

He said: “We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. It’s a difficult situation for him personally, but I like that he still gives his input.

“It’s like this in team sports – even if it doesn’t make you happy – and I’m sure he’s not, he’s still positive and still pushing.”