Super Frank Thread

[Laylabelle 9,292]

1 hour ago, Jason said:

 

Awwww love that!! That's sweet what Di Matteo did as well

[Atomiswave 6,072]

Proper winners proper warriors

[Vesper 27,283]

Chelsea's surprise Stamford Bridge game in pictures as Frank Lampard organises in-house match

The Blues were back at the Bridge for the first time since March

https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/chelseas-surprise-stamford-bridge-game-18375911

Frank Lampard brought his squad back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since March this afternoon as they held an in-house game with just over two weeks to go before their Premier League campaign resumes.

The Blues are set to resume their coronaivrus-delayed campaign away to Aston Villa on June 21 before welcoming Manchester City to West London four days later with all games to take place behind closed doors.

While clear details of today's practice match are yet to emerge, Lampard and his coaching staff acted as match officials with the squad broken into two sides. 

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and WIllian all played a part in the game with the former finding the net as he nears a return from rupturing his achilles more than a year ago.

One team wore the blue home kit and the other were in the white change strip.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Willian, Loftus-Cheek were part of the "home" team, along with the soon-to-depart Pedro Rodriguez. The "away" side featured Toni Rudiger, Ross Barkley, Mateo Kovacic, Marcos Alonso, Kurt Zouma and Olivier Giroud.

N'Golo Kante was not involved as he continues to be absent for personal reasons. No timeframe has been set for the France midfielder's return.

A handful of academy players were also part of the game including Armando Broja, Tino Anjorin, who both appeared off the bench in the final Premier League game before the enforced break, and 18-year-old Henry Lawrence.

While exact details of how the game went have not yet been released, the club have shared some images and it has been reported that Loftus-Cheek and Willian were among those to have scored.

 

[Jase 43,479]

 

[Vesper 27,283]

2 minutes ago, Jason said:

 

Lampard has stabilised Chelsea and Werner deal shows club’s faith in manager

https://theathletic.com/1856562/2020/06/06/frank-lampard-timo-werner-chelsea-rb-leipzig/

Chelsea have had to wait a few years for a summer like this. The imminent arrival of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner has got everyone associated with the club looking forward to the future with great excitement.

Chief among them is head coach Frank Lampard. A pretty strong message has been sent out during negotiations for both players that the club are prepared to back the Englishman in the market and his position, by Chelsea’s standards, is pretty secure.

Due to the lengthy postponement to matches caused by the pandemic, Chelsea find themselves in an unusual situation as the first week of June comes to an end. Instead of going on holiday, Lampard still has a big job on his hands to finish 2019-20 positively, namely with Champions League football secured for 2020-21, when fixtures resume in a fortnight.

There will be questions asked if Chelsea let fourth spot (or fifth, if Manchester City fail to get their Champions League ban overturned) slip in the remaining nine matches. Currently, they boast a three-point gap over Manchester United and five over Sheffield United and Wolves.

But The Athletic understands Lampard has been assured he is staying whatever happens and is using that information to not only encourage his current squad but also during talks with Ziyech and Werner. It is the successful pursuit of the latter which has really got everyone in football talking. The striker was much admired by Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester United but is going to wear the blue of Chelsea instead.

Most of the details of how it all came about have already been covered by The Athletic. Director Marina Granovskaia led the financial aspect of the negotiations with RB Leipzig but it was Lampard who convinced the player to move to west London. The decisions behind who Chelsea pursue has always been the subject of much debate. When it comes to Werner, The Athletic has learned that the German was Lampard’s No 1 target to improve the attack from an early stage in the season. The board and the coach both agreed the 24-year-old was a priority.

Like at all clubs, back-up options were discussed. There was an acknowledgment that there was stiff competition for Werner’s signature from the three clubs mentioned above. This is why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was increasingly raised as a possibility in recent months and sources suggested that technical and sporting director Petr Cech also supported the idea of signing the Arsenal forward.

But the hierarchy had concerns about his age (he turns 31 this month) and the possibility of the former Borussia Dortmund forward moving across London never came close to a reality.

Inevitably, when Lampard’s mood visibly soured in January after moves for Napoli’s Dries Mertens and Ziyech (the original aim was to sign him for the second half of 2019-20, rather than wait for next season) didn’t come off, it looked like relations between the head coach and Granovskaia might be getting tense. There was disappointment on all sides but also an understanding that the winter window is a lot harder to navigate. As one insider says: “The relationship was, and is, really good. I think people were jumping to conclusions after what happened in January. It wasn’t a case of them having major issues.”

That is borne out by the dialogue which has been exchanged in recent months over new additions and Lampard continued to be heavily involved in planning for next season, having a big say on who might come or go. As the Ziyech talks with Ajax finally came to fruition, Lampard reached out to the playmaker. Ziyech was another player both Lampard and the board approved of. They spoke at great length and also exchanged messages on WhatsApp. After everything was completed, the Morocco international highlighted the importance of Lampard’s contribution.

It is a similar theme with Werner. As soon as it emerged last week that there was a real opportunity to sign the Leipzig forward, Lampard was on the phone. During a few calls, it is understood the Englishman promised the striker he is staying in charge next season. On top of that, he went into great detail about how there is a three-year plan in place to help Chelsea enjoy a new era of success.

While they have won 16 major trophies in the last 17 years, their most recent Premier League title was in 2017 and they haven’t reached a Champions League semi-final since 2014.

The pursuit of Lampard’s targets will not stop here. The Athletic has also confirmed how Leicester’s Ben Chilwell is who Lampard wants to be his left-back in the long term at Stamford Bridge. There is confidence the move will happen even though the two clubs are far apart in their valuations.

With Chelsea hoping to raise funds through player departures, plus the avenue of swap deals, there could be more new faces joining the Lampard revolution.

There were those who didn’t expect him to last in the job that long. When Chelsea asked the inexperienced Lampard to take charge last year, the cynics were out in force. With the FIFA ban and loss of Hazard, it was being suggested the club’s all-time leading scorer was merely being brought back to help keep fans onside for the short term before a more senior manager could be lured to Stamford Bridge. He may have been given a three-year contract but no permanent Chelsea coach has yet to see out the length of their deal under owner Roman Abramovich, so the terms meant little.

Yet Lampard has impressed with the way he has galvanised all the players and promoted academy talent such as Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Reece James, Billy Gilmour and Fikayo Tomori. Not everything has gone smoothly — however, that was always going to be the case.

You could argue that Chelsea haven’t enjoyed this kind of stability, at this time of year, since Jose Mourinho was at the helm in 2014 and the club were busy finalising the transfers of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas. There has always been a bit of drama in all the subsequent years.

In 2015, Mourinho’s frustration over the club’s struggles to recruit targets such as centre-back John Stones after winning the title sowed the seeds for a terrible campaign and he was sacked in December.

The hiring of Antonio Conte was clearly a positive in 2016 after Guus Hiddink’s underwhelming second stint as caretaker. Significantly, everyone knew he was coming by April. Yet a new man in the dugout always brings a degree of upheaval and uncertainty in the first few months. Like Mourinho, Conte’s downfall began soon after lifting the Premier League trophy. Rancour caused by failed transfer business was never healed and while he stayed for a second season, the mood was dark around the place for the most part.

It had a knock-on effect during the warmer months of 2018, too. Conte’s departure wasn’t finalised until after pre-season had begun and it still ended up with the Italian conducting a prolonged, albeit successful, legal case for compensation. This late divorce meant his successor Maurizio Sarri arrived much later than anyone would have wanted.

And finally, this time 12 months ago Sarri was on the verge of leaving for Juventus and there was uncertainty over who would replace him before Lampard was confirmed. Their best player, Hazard, was busy securing a move to Real Madrid, while the seismic blow of FIFA’s transfer ban limited their business to turning Mateo Kovacic’s loan into a permanent switch (from Real Madrid).

Even if Chelsea’s recruitment drive ends with just Ziyech, Werner and Chilwell, the team have to be taken much more seriously next season. If you take 2016-17 out of the equation, the club haven’t been contenders, let alone winners, for the championship increasingly of late. They have finished 10th (2016), fifth (2018), a distant third (2019) and currently trail Liverpool by 34 points in fourth.

The fact Chelsea are doing business so early is encouraging. Unlike purchases which have been heavily criticised in the last three years — Danny Drinkwater, Davide Zappacosta and Emerson — the club are buying players for the first team, not squad men. It was what they did to great effect with Costa and Fabregas, and supporters are already dreaming of a similar result in 2021.

Lampard will be fully aware how quickly things can change at Chelsea. His 13 years as a midfielder there (2001-14) saw him play under nine different managers. But just as he did back then, he continues to have a very important role to play for Chelsea, and Werner’s decision to play for him is further evidence of that.

[Jase 43,479]

1 minute ago, Vesper said:

There will be questions asked if Chelsea let fourth spot (or fifth, if Manchester City fail to get their Champions League ban overturned) slip in the remaining nine matches.

THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Atomiswave 6,072]

Man what a kick to the teeth it would be........no fucking way we will let that slip away. Having CL next season is so crucial.

[killer1257 3,282]

Man what a kick to the teeth it would be........no fucking way we will let that slip away. Having CL next season is so crucial.

Man United right now are on form. Rashford Martial Bruno and Pogba all fit and with referees on their side, they will be a pain in the ass

Gesendet von meinem SM-G920F mit Tapatalk

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

So the 3 year plan starts next season?

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[NikkiCFC 7,566]

On 6/7/2020 at 0:13 AM, Supermonkey92 said:

So the 3 year plan starts next season?
 

If something has not change this is not the way we operate. 

Liverpool had to suffer for years, decades. Even first 3 years with Klopp to build something and won trophies. We were never like this in Roman era.

Carlo was 1st and 2nd in his two seasons and still got sacked because he did not delivered in the CL. We are Chelsea we want everything and we want it now!

 

[Tomo 21,681]

15 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

If something has not change this is not the way we operate. 

Liverpool had to suffer for years, decades. Even first 3 years with Klopp to build something and won trophies. We were never like this in Roman era.

Carlo was 1st and 2nd in his two seasons and still got sacked because he did not delivered in the CL. We are Chelsea we want everything and we want it now!

 

Horses for courses. When you have the old guard in or around their prime and are appointed as a win now manager ofcourse you will be judged on results, add that to being appointed because of CL pedigree and not only failing to get to a semi (with a club who made that stage 5 of the last 6 season's) but also go out in the meek manners we did to Inter and especially United, ofcourse that won't reflect well even if you win the league. Not to mention in 2011 we needed a complete rebuild and Carlo has no track record in that aspect of management.

That said Lampard isn't safe no matter what and nor should he be (last thing we want is a Wenger 11-18 situation and Roman would never let that happen anyway) but his ground's for dismissal will be the polar opposite to Carlo's, infact (for the first 2-3 years at least) he's probably getting judged more for how well he's developing our future stars than he is for results (if Roman wanted to try and squeeze out another trophy or two at all costs we'd have appointed Allegri or handed Mou a third crack).

[Atomiswave 6,072]

16 minutes ago, Mana said:

This is all it comes down to. It's great we are doing business this window but that doesn't change anything for the reminder of this season.

Our new potential players would want to play in the CL, not EL.

Lampard now has a fully fit squad now who are eager to play, no excuses, we should be able to cross that CL finish line. United have no chance catching us if we win most of our remaining games.

Most def Mana, no excuses. We must finish in CL places......I for one would hate to see us in EL again.

[Tomo 21,681]

36 minutes ago, Mana said:

This is all it comes down to. It's great we are doing business this window but that doesn't change anything for the reminder of this season.

Our new potential players would want to play in the CL, not EL.

Lampard now has a fully fit squad now who are eager to play, no excuses, we should be able to cross that CL finish line. United have no chance catching us if we win most of our remaining games.

I think the fact Werner is about to sign with no guarantee of CL pretty much destroys the notion we need CL to attract top talent, that's if Ziyech, Jorgi, Kova and Kante hasn't done that already.

I disagree with your last line, i think there's mitigatng circumstances this season (unless we completely collapse) however i'd agree that next time round with the backing he appears to be getting top 4 is minimum requirement.

[Tomo 21,681]

Just now, Mana said:

Until Werner actually signs, you cannot say that yet. Liverpool is still probably his preferred choice. :/

That kind of strengthens what i'm saying. It was Liverpool saying no that's presented us with this opportunity, not qualification to CL.

[NikkiCFC 7,566]

7 hours ago, Tomo said:

Horses for courses. When you have the old guard in or around their prime and are appointed as a win now manager ofcourse you will be judged on results, add that to being appointed because of CL pedigree and not only failing to get to a semi (with a club who made that stage 5 of the last 6 season's) but also go out in the meek manners we did to Inter and especially United, ofcourse that won't reflect well even if you win the league. Not to mention in 2011 we needed a complete rebuild and Carlo has no track record in that aspect of management.

That said Lampard isn't safe no matter what and nor should he be (last thing we want is a Wenger 11-18 situation and Roman would never let that happen anyway) but his ground's for dismissal will be the polar opposite to Carlo's, infact (for the first 2-3 years at least) he's probably getting judged more for how well he's developing our future stars than he is for results (if Roman wanted to try and squeeze out another trophy or two at all costs we'd have appointed Allegri or handed Mou a third crack).

I first sentence I said if something has not changed. If all that what you said is true that would mean something has changed. But yeah I really like direction we are going since we decided to change approach after Conte sacking.

[communicate 2,703]

Assuming everyone is fit, it is going to be interesting who Lamp will play against Villa. It is essentially going to be our best lineup. 

[Tomo 21,681]

22 hours ago, communicate said:

Assuming everyone is fit, it is going to be interesting who Lamp will play against Villa. It is essentially going to be our best lineup. 

It should be the same lineup that twatted Everton, not only would that be fair merit Villa is a similar type of game in terms of oppo set up so in that sense makes sense to be as you were.

For City they'll need to be changes, I'd go for Gilmour, Kova and Kante midfield with Mount on the LW, then against Leicester in the cup give games to the likes that haven't started yet like Tomori, Jorginho.

Impossible to say after that, if we get past Leicester we have full weekend to midweek turnover from the restart all the way till the end so rotation will be needed like never before.

[NikkiCFC 7,566]

1 hour ago, Tomo said:

with Mount on the LW

I know he played some games earlier there but that was when we had injuries. What is the argument to play him now when we have all 4 wingers available? Defence? Willian and Pedro are best at this.