Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has expressed concerns over the potential challenges that could hinder the progress of Chelsea under new boss Enzo Maresca. His primary concern revolves around the youthful composition of the squad, which he believes could lead to inconsistent performances.
Chelsea's recent performances have been a mixed bag. The Blues were in top form during their 6-0 victory over Wolves, showcasing their potential under Maresca's leadership. However, they faced a setback with a 2-1 loss to Servette in the Europa Conference League match midweek.
The inconsistency continued at Stamford Bridge on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 draw in the Crystal Palace match. Despite taking an early lead through Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea was unable to maintain their advantage and had to settle for a point after Eberechi Eze’s second-half strike.
Lampard urges patience amidst inconsistency
Frank Lampard has urged fans and stakeholders alike to exercise patience as these fluctuations are expected given the team's youthful make-up and recent managerial change. He insists that integrating fresh signings into the team will take time and may result in uneven performances initially.
Frank Lampard, Chelsea legend, said:
‘Inconsistency will be there – young players bring that, If you look at moments in the game where Chelsea are on top, maybe they aren’t clinical enough and then you can always feel the game can swing on them. You do wonder if that bit of experience through the spine of the team isn’t there and you’ll have to wait for that but there’s certainly a lot of talent in there.’
However, despite these concerns, Lampard remains optimistic about Chelsea’s future under Maresca. He believes that there is positive momentum building within the club which marks a significant shift from his own challenging tenure as manager.
Frank Lampard added:
‘In terms of where they are at, Maresca mentioned today that they aren’t the same team that won the Champions League and he is right, I was there 18 months ago and at that point, it was a really low point from my point of view because it didn’t feel like the club that it had been which was so successful for 20 years.
‘A lot of that was the environment and getting that right. I feel like they are on an upward curve but there will be good days and bad days because of the squad. But there is a lot of talent and if they can keep improving, especially at the top end of the pitch, they can give teams a lot of problems.’
International break will be crucial
After an international break, all eyes will be on how well this young squad can bounce back. Chelsea will be looking to return to their winning ways when they travel down to the south coast to take on Bournemouth. This match could serve as a litmus test for Maresca's ability to harness the potential of this youthful squad and steer them towards consistent success.
While Lampard's concerns about Chelsea’s youthful squad are valid, it is also an opportunity for Maresca and his team to prove their mettle. The coming matches will provide valuable insights into whether these young players can rise above these challenges and deliver consistent performances under new management.
