Lampard Says Standards Have Dropped At Stamford Bridge

Frank Lampard slammed Chelsea’s failures as the leaving caretaker manager claimed standards had dropped at Stamford Bridge.

On Sunday, Lampard managed Chelsea for the final time during his brief second stint, as the Blues were held to a 1-1 tie by Newcastle.

Lampard will always be revered by Chelsea’s supporters as the club’s all-time leading scorer, and they gave him a heartfelt send-off at Stamford Bridge.

However, Lampard is aware of the enormous challenge facing Mauricio Pochettino, who is reportedly about to be officially named as his successor. Pochettino will need to revitalize a team that had such a dismal season.

Chelsea’s 12th-place result was their first in the bottom half of the standings since 1995–1996.

Additionally, they recorded the fewest points and goals in the Premier League period.

Chelsea are in trouble just two years after Thomas Tuchel guided them to the Champions League triumph.

“The standards collectively have dropped. I can be honest about that now that it’s my last game, I might not see some of them that much anymore,” Lampard said.

“The standards of the collective for a club like Chelsea have to be at the maximum or you won’t be physically competitive enough, or you won’t be able to play at a high level.

“If you’re not together in the dressing room, and you’re not vocal in the dressing room, driving each other and competitive because I want your place and you want mine. Any top team has to have that.”

Since Lampard was hired on April 6, Chelsea’s performance has plummeted, with issues that were already evident under Graham Potter, Lampard’s predecessor, getting worse by the week.

The 34 first-team players Todd Boehly acquired during his first year as the owner has proven to be extremely difficult to manage, according to both Potter and Lampard.

“It’s clear there are things I would see that need to improve,” Lampard said.

“A new manager will see with his own eyes and the beauty of it is he’ll have a pre-season to work with the team.

“We’re not physically competitive enough. Newcastle are and we haven’t been. That’s a strong opinion that I have.

“The squad has been too big, that’s the biggest challenge I’ve found day to day, coming in and working with big numbers, and with players who for whatever reason are disillusioned.

“Those situations can maybe be sorted out now and they have to be.”