Winners and losers of Frank Lampard returning to Chelsea

Robin Bairner

• 6 Apr 2023 13:37 BST
• 5 min read

Chelsea’s decision to turn to Frank Lampard as caretaker manager for the rest of the season is one of the big surprises of the season to date.

It is a move that has split opinion among fans of the club and, with Lampard having already had one 18-month spell in charge of the Blues from 2019 until January 2021, is likely to receive a mixed reaction in the dressing room.

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What it does do, however, is offer some forgotten members of the squad the opportunity to earn regular game time and stake a claim under the next manager, whoever that may be.

Here are the winners and losers from Todd Boehly’s decision.

MORE: Why Luis Enrique joining Chelsea would spell DOOM for Mudryk

WINNER: Mason Mount

A favourite of Lampard, he had fallen off the radar at Stamford Bridge, having been relegated to a role as luxury substitute. The academy product may have the midfield constructed around his talents, such is the interim manager’s love of him. From heading out of the club in the summer, Mount may just be able to stake his claim to remain at the club on an improved contract. The other academy products in the Chelsea squad, notably Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, could also get additional minutes.

LOSER: Joao Felix

It’s not really clear where on-loan Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix might fit into a Frank Lampard team. He typically does not play with a No.10, and if he does, he is liable to favour Mount in that position in the first instance. He could play as a centre forward or perhaps out on the right, but neither of those roles really suit him as well as the one he was given under Potter.

WINNER: Mykhailo Mudryk

If the change of shape is bad new for Felix, it is great news for Mudryk, whose expensive January arrival was all the more puzzling given that Potter was not even playing with genuine wingers for much of the time. Lampard is likely to and he will like the pace and industry that the Ukraine international can bring to the team. Can he also bring quality? This could be his chance to prove that he can.

LOSER: Marc Cucurella

Signed from Brighton in the summer, the Spaniard was a perfect player for Graham Potter due to his ability to play either as a wing-back or in the centre of defence. He is unlikely to get a look in under Lampard, though. The Englishman prefers to play with four defenders, and the ex-Seagull cannot hope to start on either the left of a back four with Ben Chilwell in such good form or in the middle of the defence with numerous specialised options there.

WINNER: Frank Lampard

The caretaker manager probably cannot believe his luck that he has fallen into this post just months after being sacked by relegation-threatened Everton. His record previously at Stamford Bridge was mediocre at best but this time he comes in with expectations at rock bottom – he surely cannot do any worse than those who have done before him. Who knows? An exceptional run of form will put him in position to take the job permanently.

LOSER: Luis Enrique

If Chelsea were settled on Luis Enrique as their next manager, he could step into the role immediately. This is not necessarily the case for Julian Nagelsmann, as they would need to play compensation to Bayern Munich. The Spaniard, though, is entirely free and available. Any delay adds doubts as to whether Chelsea really want him.

MORE: How Chelsea could line up under Luis Enrique

WINNER: Todd Boehly

In some ways, this is a shrewd move by the Chelsea owner, who now has nothing to lose this season. Lampard is a favourite of the media and is likely to be given less criticism than Potter was – despite having a poorer managerial track record than the former Brighton boss. It will certainly take some of the heat off the owner in the short term. With John Terry and Ashley Cole set to join Lampard, this is an easy PR win when he needs some positive news.