Jase

The handling of COVID-19 in England is a joke...

There needs to be progression first, doesn't it? Everyone associated to Chelsea wants Lampard to succeed but if there is no progression, if we don't close the gap at the top, if we are still inconsistent as ever, then I think questions will have to be asked come end of the season especially after the summer investment.

CAN WE GET FABREGAS BACK INTO THE TEAM!?

Exactly why some people are concerned. Having a big squad is one thing but the manager needs to know who he wants and does not want and what is his best XI and who are the backups. Jorginho, for example, looked to be out of favor after the restart last season but is now suddenly back in favor(?). We cannot be in a situation months down the line where we still don't know our best team, best system etc.

A question, why can't Havertz be used as a No.10 now and flanked by Mount and CHO for example? The Havertz situation is also different to Pulisic last season. Havertz is at least getting game and looks set to continue getting it while Pulisic started and got dropped to be eased in. Havertz's versatility is useful but is it useful that he is being moved around so much when he is still in that development age? Will it help him to settle into the squad, the league etc? Plus, I think people want to see what he can do and want to see him contribute to the team in a positive manner because so far, it has been average at best. He almost played like an auxiliary full back at Brighton and was treated like a target man against Liverpool. It's only two games I know but that just feels like an incredible waste for someone of his talent.

Yeah but shouldn't the manager know better? Shouldn't the manager at least know who he wants and doesn't want?

Funny thing is, even with the absentees, we actually still have enough options for now, for example, to play Havertz as the No.10 with Mount and CHO as the wingers but that didn't happen in any of the two games.

The new signings aside, shouldn't Lampard already know who is shit and who is not based on last season?

I know managers say diplomatic things all the time but that doesn't mean they don't say the truth from time to time. With Kante, it feels to me like you're the one who strongly thinks he will be sold and wants to stick to that agenda even when Lampard has said he doesn't want to lose him. Moreover, Lampard has also gone beyond and above to praise Kante every single time when he doesn't need to and if you compare the comments about him not wanting to sell Kante and the ones on the CHO-Bayern rumors last week for example, there is a bit of a contrast there. He pretty much said "No, Kante isn't for sale" but somewhat left the possibility open about CHO potentially leaving. As for Kepa, well, Lampard didn't say Kepa is his No.1 keeper. He just said he is our keeper and that we are bringing in competition. That was it.

Yes, it is not a secret that we want Rice but I was merely making the point on whether Lampard knows himself where he actually wants to play Rice because it was only not too long ago that he reportedly wants him as a CB and he supposedly wants him as a DM now. Am sure you may have seen the debates here about Rice in the CB role some weeks ago. Also, Lampard ruled out selling Kante less than 2 weeks ago - https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lampard-kante-fundamental-chelsea-inter-rumours/kikd377ff8b196044jhsaej4. As for Jorginho, well, it's all just rumors at the moment even if we want him gone. Lampard hasn't spoken anything about him in the public.

Based on what has been reported by The Athletic...

Starting to wonder if Lampard actually even knows himself what he wants...

According to The Athletic's Simon Johnson, CHO's representatives are considering setting up a meeting with the club within the next week to discuss about his future.

Lampard's presser tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1:30pm UK time.

Silva's press conference tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4pm UK time.

I wonder if we will ever get out of this pragmatism loophole that we are seemingly stuck in. Playing a functional player in the XI is one thing, but playing a functional player out of position just to combat the opposition just screams inferiority complex. I remember when Mourinho played Ramires on the RW with Ivanovic at RB against (freaking) Basel!

Why do I feel like you're holding back on this matter?

It wasn't as bad as the game at City but it was still close to it. I shall say no more though...

Yup, agree to disagree indeed...

Fair point but the fee issue aside, Bravo was a problem for them and Guardiola was ruthless enough to just ditch him altogether. With Kepa, we might suffer some repercussions in terms of losses but if we want to succeed, then we need to be ruthless and bin him off. Yes, I am aware of that but mind you, am not calling for Lampard's head. Merely only judging his work at the club so far.

That is you. Apologies if I am expecting a little more from Lampard, even with some players missing, especially when this is his second season. Agree to disagree.

Guardiola somewhat had the benefit of most of his current attackers were already at the club when he took over. But anyway, it is not like we haven't spent money ourselves either. As for him not having a problem like Kepa, well Claudio Bravo says hello.

You are not answering the question I asked about Guardiola. The Guardiola-Stoke bit is irrelevant considering he would never go there. He has his ideas, principles and style of play. He would only go to a club that can match that. Am not drawing definite conclusion about Lampard yet but does not mean we cannot evaluate his work in the team, especially when he's been in the job for over a year.