Lam-pard to the slaughter? Chelsea opportunity has come too fast for Frank

It seems now as though it is merely a matter of time before Frank Lampard is named as the next Chelsea manager in an appointment of the future made today.

There is, after all, little question that this scenario has come around sooner than all parties involved would have liked. The vision of life under Maurizio Sarri was a long-term one as far as Blues bosses’ go at least, with the Italian hired to stamp his philosophy onto a side that were, in the view of the board, too pragmatic.

The decision to replace the former Napoli boss was seemingly made a matter of months ago, before leading Chelsea to a third placed finish and the Europa League title. On reflection it is difficult to know how to assess Sarri’s short reign at Stamford Bridge as a result, falling short in terms of delivering a playing style that the players could thrive in but winning a European trophy and coming within a penalty shootout of a domestic one to boot.

As much as the results and silverware though, Chelsea wanted a clear identity of attractive, attacking football and there is no question it’s something Sarri established with time at both Empoli and Napoli. The decision, then, to not only ditch that approach but opt for a manager with one year’s experience - outside of the top-flight - can only really be seen as a sentimental one.

Lampard is a club legend. A man loved by the entire fanbase whose return will be met with excitement. With that optimism, however, should come a degree of trepidation.

The rookie coach did a good job with Derby, reaching the play-off final only to suffer the heartache of a defeat to Aston Villa, but little more than that. Said Wembley showdown should serve as a caution to any fans swept up in the romance of the 41-year-old’s impending return.

For at least three quarters of that game the Rams looked bereft of ideas after all, and while Derby hit their stride to an extent towards the end of the season, there was not much by way of a discernible football philosophy.

Derby played with the energy of a team blessed with enviable talent and youthful exuberance. Their’s was a squad that should unquestionably have been competing for the play-offs after all, cementing a top six finish on the final day of the season, without ever being likely to push for automatic promotion.

In that sense Lampard delivered the sort of finish many predicted. The same as the club managed in the previous campaign, albeit with one point less.

Meeting expectations is certainly not a bad thing, particularly for a coach in his first season in such a role, but nor is it as impressive as much of the media seem to portray. Plenty was made of their play-off victory over Leeds but it’s worth noting the Whites were in total control of the tie before a horrendous defensive mix up offered Derby hope just before half-time.

Were it not for that error, the Rams wouldn’t have attacked the second half with the exceptional belief that they did. A young team with nothing to lose put in the sort of frenetic display that only such a team could under the circumstances. It was an outstanding win and comeback, but what preceded it was lost in all that.

Derby’s longest league winning streak of the season was just three matches and ended on September 1st last year. While they picked up some good wins against teams that finished above them in the table there were some heavy defeats too and not a single clean sheet across the ten matches, conceding 23 times.

Statistically, meanwhile, there was no real trend or standout figure to indicate Lampard had really established a consistent, successful way of playing. Derby ranked tenth for shots, fifth for possession, seventh for pass success, tenth for tackles, twelfth for shots conceded and way down in seventeenth for dribbles.

That’s not to say it’s a crime to not have any one way of approaching the game and adapting to different opponents, particularly in one’s first season in management. However, it couldn’t be more opposite to the direction Chelsea appeared to be keen upon when appointing Sarri.

The consensus instead appears to be that Lampard, and assistant Jody Morris in particular, are sensible choices for an upcoming season in which the Blues - as things stand - cannot operate in the transfer market. The need to trust in youth is present, if a little exaggerated, with one or two youngsters likely to get a crack at breaking into the first team on a regular basis.

It’s a season that could very well be a long one following the departure of star man Eden Hazard then, and should things not go well for Lampard his prospects of keeping the job in the long term will be remote. That is another big issue here, and the reason why the former midfielder hasn’t leapt at the chance to fill the vacant position.

The job is his if he wants it, so the delay hints towards a very understandable sense of caution on Lampard’s part. He will have hoped to take the reigns at the club with more experience under his belt with the intent of being in it for the long haul. That could still happen, of course, but there’s an overriding feeling that this could be a stop-gap appointment.

Frank Lampard could go on to be a great coach but he isn’t one yet, despite making a solid start to his new career path. The timing of his big shot at what he will have seen as the ultimate goal is extremely premature. If Chelsea intend on being patient given his experience that is all well and good, though anyone thinking that the club’s hierarchy are anything but is simply deluded.