This definetly not the best written article from The Athletic.
Frank Lampard on the brink at Chelsea after Manchester City defeat
January 3, 2021Updated 6:25 PM UTC
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Frank Lampard’s position as Chelsea manager is under serious threat following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey can reveal.
Chelsea spent over £200 million on new signings in the summer, but have won just one out of their last six Premier League matches and currently sit a disappointing eighth in the table, level on points with Aston Villa, Southampton and West Ham.
Sources have told The Athletic that Chelsea have started to explore alternative plans with a view to replacing Lampard if the current slump continues, if not sooner.
Where has it gone wrong for Lampard?
Today’s loss to a Manchester City side depleted by COVID-19 sees Chelsea drop to eighth in the Premier League table.
The club invested over £200 million in new signings in the summer, only to win three points fewer than at this same stage of the season last year.
Their total of 26 points from 17 matches is the second-worst of the Roman Abramovich era, with only Jose Mourinho’s disastrous 2015-16 season ranking lower.
What else are the board concerned by?
The Athletic understands the club’s hierarchy are increasingly concerned by recent form and the struggles of summer signings Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.
After a bright start, Werner’s performances have declined sharply. He has now failed to score in his last 12 appearances for Chelsea — his worst scoring drought for more than four years.
Havertz’s struggles since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen have been even more pronounced and the 21-year-old has started the last four Premier League matches on the bench.
Has Lampard lost the dressing room?
He has not lost the dressing room but it is undoubtedly a divided one.
Sources have told The Athletic that tensions between Lampard and a number of individuals in his squad — particularly those who have found themselves outside his group of trusted regular starters — have been growing for some time, and now factor into the board’s negative assessment of the overall health of the situation at Cobham.
Is he a sitting duck?
The Chelsea board have a decision to make in the light of Sunday's comprehensive defeat by Manchester City. They had already started to explore alternative plans with a view to replacing Lampard if the situation does not get better.
Chelsea have always backed their judgement in these situations in the past and will not hesitate to act sooner rather than later this time around if they decide a change is required.
What else do I need to know?
For a comprehensive look at Lampard’s precarious situation — including why his pleas for understanding are now falling on deaf ears at Stamford Bridge — Go Deeper with The Athletic below.
