Getting rid of Maurizio Sarri seems both a strange decision and the correct one. The Italian was hugely successful last season, winning the Europa League and finishing third in the Premier League. However, the 60-year-old’s reign was plagued with issues ranging from tactics on-field to the relationship with players off-field.
One thing stands out about Sarri’s reign at Stamford Bridge, and that’s his horrible relationship with people associated with the club. Meanwhile in newly appointed Frank Lampard enjoys a great relationship with the those associated with Chelsea, having played more than 600 games for the club, and finishing his Chelsea career as the club’s record goalscorer.
This raises one very big issue. If Lampard is to fail in a similar fashion to Sarri, due to his stubbornness and poor performances away from home against top teams, will he be treated in the same fashion as those connected with Chelsea as Sarri was?
There is a possibility that the romance surrounding Lampard and his return to Stamford Bridge could cloud the judgement of those at Chelsea. There’s already talk from The Telegraph that Lampard will be afforded more time at the helm because it’s a new project Chelsea are undertaking. Apart from being under a transfer ban and implementing more youth players, what Lampard trying to do any different from what Sarri was trying to do when he first came to Chelsea.
Before Sarri was appointed Chelsea manager, the club was nowhere near playing a possession-based style of play under former boss Antonio Conte. The time needed to be afforded to Sarri to implement his style, yet wasn’t as he was got rid of after a single season as manager.
Chelsea need to ensure that if they feel Lampard is failing in similar fashion to Sarri, he is treated in the same vein. Using the romance of Lampard’s return really will harm the club in the long run, especially with the way Liverpool and Manchester City are running away at the top of the Premier League.
