Lampard played his part says king Cole
FRANK Lampard should get a big pat on the back if Chelsea win the Champions League.
That’s the view of Joe Cole who thinks his former team- mate was a bit unlucky to be sacked from Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel has come in and lifted Chelsea up the league and into Europe’s biggest match.
Cole said: “When you come in as a manager it’s always your team, and the previous manager’s team until you get your stamp on it.
“All the credit to Tuchel, but we can’t disregard what Frank and Jody and the academy staff did to help and Tuchel recognises that.”
But Coles admits there has been plenty of improvement since the German took the reins.
He said: “Thomas Tuchel deserves all the credit he has got.
“He’s been fantastic. He’s brought harmony back into the squad.
“But Tuchel alluded to it when he got the job, he knows there was real talent, real quality players and Frank and Jody Morris and the academy staff bringing those players through.
Class
“Getting into the Champions League last year without bringing a signing in was a brilliant achievement.”
Cole is delighted to see Mason Mount really starting to show his class for Chelsea.
He’s long been an admirer of the attacking midfielder who plays in a similar position to his old role.
Cole said: “I said it 12 months ago that Mason will go on to be a Chelsea great. I can’t believe why some people weren’t really having him. Which is insanity.
“Football has these mad things. But even the people who were most against Mason will step back now and say ‘ maybe I got that one wrong.’
“He will be a Chelsea great. It is unfair on Mason to say he is Frank’s legacy because Mason is a genius and he would have come through anytime, anywhere because he is just a great footballer.”