Frank Lampard

People have been calling for the man's head. Results have not been great, even I have to admit it. But it is not time for us fans to call for the manager to be sacked. Ever since the Russian oligarch took over the club in 2003, Chelsea fans have witnessed a tremendous amount of success. We've won all the major trophies there is to win to date, most notably the Champions League in 2012. But there is one thing that I always envied looking at a club like Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson was at the helm for 26 years which boosted the club's sustainability and brand. The entire club was built around his personality and that was shown both on and off the pitch. Even Robin Van Persie highlighted that the Scot was the main factor for the Dutch to join United from arch-rivals Arsenal. For a club like Chelsea, we have never had such a monumental figure at our club. No doubt, many of us wanted Jose Mourinho to be that figure but things didn't work out in the end. Now, we have a legend return to the club. A backroom staff that bleeds blue. Eddie Newton, Jody Morris, Joe Edwards to name a few. In my opinion, we have something special. People that truly care about the club and want the absolute best for the club. But it's disheartening to see fans call for Frank Lampard to be sacked. The man got us 3rd without Eden Hazard, who was pivotal for all the success we have achieved since he arrived. To add pressure onto the wound, we were hit with a transfer ban and were unable to properly replace the Belgian. So what did Frank Lampard do? He did something which Mourinho, Conte, Sarri never would. He utilized the Youth. Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, Billy Gilmour. I guarantee that we would never see those lads names in the first team line-up if any other manager was in charge. Our youth team has been one of the best in the country for a number of years, winning multiple league titles and the Youth Champions League. If we had failed to bring any of those players up to the first team, it means we have failed as a club. 

Some may already brand us as a failure in terms of producing youth. Even Mason Mount's dad pointed out that the Chelsea academy is the best academy up till one is 18 years of age. After that, it just seemed like a dark path ahead for the players. But I believe things are different now. The players in the youth level don't see a dark path anymore. Frank Lampard is well aware of the capabilities that the players in the academy possess. He has Jody and Joe, both whom have been involved at the academy level to advise accordingly. Adding some names such as Conor Gallagher and Loftus Cheek who are currently on loan at West Brom and Palace respectively, two of who I believe will definitely compete for a place in the first team next season. If this was any other manager, I am sure that we would have not even have a conversation on which youth player would be making it to the first team next. Instead, we would be focusing on which player is currently the hype of town to help us in terms of competing for the league. So that is why I am saying that everyone should get behind the manager. He is unlike those we have had before, but is certainly someone who can bring a whole lot of change to our club especially in terms of the promotion of youth academy products. Lampard In!