London (AFP)
Bringing a club idol back on the bench in times of uncertainty is often a somewhat desperate maneuver, but Chelsea's attempt with Frank Lampard seems to take shape when facing Lille in the Champions League.
"Super, Great Frank, Super, Great Frank, Super Frankie Lampard". Lampard's sunny days as captain of Chelsea was back at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the 2-0 win over Brighton.
A first win at home this season and a first game without a goal that materialize the progress of the Blues and their bottle class put forward by the youngest coach.
His return in July, at age 41, after only one season as a coach - quite successful as he had taken Derby County to the finals of the playoffs to go up in the elite - could just as easily turn to the story as to the resounding flop. .
But to succeed Maurizio Sarri, with whom Chelsea had won the "Premier League B", the one who fights behind the untouchable Liverpool and Manchester City, losing his best player, Eden Hazard, and without being able to recruit, it was really necessary to find the rare pearl.
- Totem of immunity -
With 648 appearances in blue and especially his 211 goals that make him the top scorer in the club's history, despite his midfield position, Frank Lampard knew he would have the public instantly behind him.
But all totem immunity has its limits and debut difficult, including a defeat a bit severe 4-0 to Manchester United for the opening of the championship, came quickly remind him.
He did not waver in his strong choices made upon his arrival, as to put in front line pure products of the training center of Chelsea.
The average age of the team, over 27 in the last 5 seasons, has fallen to just 25 and a half years, making the South London team the fourth youngest in the league.
The world of English football quickly got to know the names of defenseman Fikayo Tomori (21), midfielder Mason Mount (20) and striker Tammy Abraham (21). And he should soon be familiar with those of forward Callum Hudson-Odoi (18) or defender Reece James (19).
On Saturday, against Brighton, 8 out of 18 players in the matchmaking sheet had been trained by Chelsea.
Some might see it as a way to appeal to the public's leniency for kids at the club for 13 or 14 years for some.
- The black spot of the defense -
But not only Lampard knew Tomori and Mount who were on loan to Derby last year.
"He was brilliant with me last year in Derby and I probably was not expecting him at such a high level so early," admitted Lampard on Saturday after Mount caused the penalty that allowed the opening of the score.
And in the game too, Lampard's paw begins to see each other.
Chelsea has found a soul and a passion that was a little lacking in recent years.
The trigger was probably the second half of the match against Liverpool, shaken as rarely in the league. Despite the loss (2-1), the crowd applauded their players at the end of the match.
Chelsea offers them the show with the 3rd best attack (14 goals), the second total of shots attempted (120), shots on target (43.6) and expected goals (13.6), and especially the Blues are team that has managed the most dribbling at the beginning of the season (87).
The black spot remains the defense, with 13 goals conceded, making it the 3rd most permeable Premier League, but, once cured, N'Golo Kanté in the middle and Antonio Rudiger in defense could soon bring an extra defensive strength that will make Chelsea a formidable team.
© 2019 AFP