Jamie Carragher predicts where Chelsea FC will finish this season
Jamie Carragher has his say on where he expects Chelsea FC to finish this season
Jamie Carragher is tipping Chelsea FC to miss out on a top-four finish this season in the Premier League.
The Blues are targeting another top-four finish this term after they ended up in third position under Maurizio Sarri last season to book their place in the Champions League for another season.
Chelsea FC have since brought in Frank Lampard as their new manager and the former England star will be focused on trying to help the Blues build on their performances from last term.
Lampard joined Chelsea FC with only one year’s worth of managerial experience under his belt with Derby County, and the 41-year-old will be looking to prove a point on his return to his old club.
However, Liverpool FC legend Carragher feels that the job may have just come slightly too soon for the ex-England star, and he is not expecting to see Chelsea FC finish in the top four this season.
Speaking in an interview quoted by Metro, Carragher said: “I feel strongly that Frank needs to be given the space, time and respect to develop his coaching career and there is no recent history of Chelsea giving that – even to some of the best coaches of all time who have delivered Premier League titles.
“There is no point giving Frank the job now and setting a deadline to replicate his predecessors’ success. I would like to think he will get more leeway but I am a bit sceptical, knowing Chelsea’s track record and how quickly results change the mood.
“Many argue Lampard’s appointment is itself proof of a change of direction at Stamford Bridge, belated recognition the club must take a longer-term approach.
“That is a radical departure from the last 16 years and a great promise to make amid the optimism of pre-season. Even the talk of giving youth a chance is not so simple.
“What if, as I anticipate, Chelsea remain well behind Manchester City and Liverpool this season? I don’t believe Chelsea will make the top four.
“If not, there should not be talk of him being under pressure but Frank knows the culture at the club better than anyone and what the consequences will be if Chelsea drop out of the top six.
“That is why I believe it might have been wiser for him to wait. To gather more experience at a club such as Derby County.
“He was at the perfect club to learn more about how to manage different personalities, experiment with strategies and settle on a style of leadership that will equip him for the next 10 years.”
Chelsea FC will return to action on Wednesday night when they travel to Istanbul to take on Liverpool FC in the Uefa Super Cup.
The Blues will then return to Premier League action next Sunday afternoon when they host Leicester City.
