‘Lampard wouldn’t have been sacked if he signed Grealish’

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 1 min read

Chelsea legend Alan Hudson believes that Frank Lampard would still be in his job had the club signed Aston Villa star Jack Grealish.

Lampard was sacked as Chelsea manager last week after a dismal run of form saw the club plummet to ninth place in the Premier League table.

Having spent €250 million last summer on a whole host of big signings – such as Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy – this was deemed unacceptable for a team expected to challenge for the title.

And former England midfielder Hudson, who starred for Chelsea in the 1970s, believes that Lampard should have signed Grealish instead.

“I know Frank, used to know him well until becoming manager, and had I been his adviser I would have told him to buy Jack Grealish,” Hudson told CaughtOffside.

“And I mention this because Jack has just learned the ins out outs of top-level football, and he’s 25 years of age – that’s how long it takes today, not 18 months.

“Had Frank signed Jack he’d still be the Chelsea manager. That’s the difference – Jack makes things happen, he knows the game, not like these kids, who are players in waiting.”

Grealish has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, with 15 goal contributions for Aston Villa in 19 games.