Sky Sports pundit reacts to Frank Lampard’s Chelsea FC appointment
Jamie Redknapp has his say on Frank Lampard's return to Chelsea FC as manager
Jamie Redknapp believes that Frank Lampard’s appointment as Chelsea FC manager is a “great move” for both the club and the ex-midfielder.
Lampard was officially unveiled as Chelsea FC’s new manager on Thursday after Maurizio Sarri opted to leave Stamford Bridge after less than a year in charge.
The 41-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Blues despite only having one year’s managerial experience under his belt with Derby County.
Lampard will now be tasked with helping Chelsea FC to finish in the top four once again next season after they ended up third and won the Europa League title under Sarri last term.
And former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Redknapp seems to think that the move will turn out to be a great one for the Blues and Lampard.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Redknapp said: “It’s a great move, not just for Frank but for Chelsea too. It’s astute, you need someone who can stabilise the club somewhat when you’ve lost your best player and under a transfer embargo.
“They’ve got one of their own, the fans adore him. He’ll need time, there’ll be a lot of changes; you can’t bring any personnel in to replace a big-name star like Eden Hazard. He’ll need to be given time, but he will – because he’s Frank Lampard.
“The expectation will be to finish in the top four, but they’ve got to be realistic. I think there’ll be moments in the season where it’ll be a struggle, because of the Hazard effect.
“It doesn’t matter what manager you have – Guardiola, Mourinho, anyone – they are going to struggle without that quality of player. But if they were to finish in the top four, that would be an amazing season considering the embargo and everything else.”
Chelsea FC beat Arsenal 4-1 to win the Europa League last season under Sarri in what turned out to be Eden Hazard’s final game for the club.
The Blues – who are currently serving a two-window transfer ban – finished in third place in the Premier League table to secure their qualification for next season’s Champions League.
