After a disastrous sequence of results, Frank Lampard advised Chelsea supporters to accept that they are no longer a “top eight” team.
Since taking over as temporary manager after Graham Potter was fired, Lampard has lost each of his six games.
The most recent was a 3-1 loss to Arsenal, leaving Chelsea in 12th place in the Premier League and tied with Bournemouth, their opponents this weekend at Stamford Bridge, in terms of points.
The Blues would be in 18th place in the league if the season had started in October and are only nine points above the danger zone.
Chelsea has only scored 31 goals while losing 14 games in the league. You have to wonder where they would be right now if Thomas Tuchel hadn’t at least scored a few goals early in the season before being fired.
Despite spending about £600 million under owner Todd Boehly, they have had four different managers in charge, and Lampard freely acknowledges that they do not now rank among the top eight teams.
We at Chelsea have been fortunate for 20 years. When the spotlight is on you, it’s on you,” he said in his press conference.
“You have to understand and handle that. Even as a fanbase, you can be frustrated and want more but you can also be understanding of the last 20 years at Chelsea.
“It’s not one for me to sit on and feel hurt by too much. More what’s the action to get us out. The action this season won’t get us in the Champions League or top eight. Not all fans want to hear that but it’s a reality I’ve come back into.”
Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer has urged his teammates, who number more than 30, to play with pride in the remaining games, of which they have five left to play.
Everyone who looks in wants to think there isn’t much going on, but I and the players must display a tremendous amount of pride, he continued.
Will the summer require a reboot? Sure.”
Chelsea will welcome Nottingham Forest after Bournemouth’s visit before finishing the season with a challenging three-match set against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United.
