How Lampard is making Chelsea job MORE difficult for Pochettino

James Shearman

• Updated: 27 Apr 2023 17:12 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is making Mauricio Pochettino's future job more difficult by refusing to play the bulk of the club's new signings.

Besides the Champions League tie with Real Madrid, which they lost 4-0 on aggregate, the Blues have had nothing to play since Lampard's appointment.

So the Chelsea legend should be looking ahead to next season, giving chances to the young players that will still be there.

MORE: Chelsea appointment of Pochettino given date

The 44-year-old has played summer signing Wesley Fofana regularly in the centre of defence, while January addition Enzo Fernandez has also been a mainstay of the team.

But the likes of Noni Madueke, Carney Chukwuemeka, Mykhailo Mudryk and Benoit Badiashile have all been absent for the most part.

Older players, such as Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta, that are likely to leave in the next transfer window, should not be keeping them on the bench.

It can't be beneficial to Pochettino to not see a number of Chelsea's young stars play regularly until he meets up with them for pre-season training in July.

Pochettino to Chelsea

Pochettino's arrival has not yet been confirmed by Chelsea, who are sticking with Lampard until the end of the season.

But the Argentine is thought to have won the race to become the Blues' next permanent manager.

Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique were the early favourites for the job, before both failed to agree with the Chelsea hierarchy on plans for the project.

Pochettino has since beaten Burnley boss Vincent Kompany and Celtic's Ange Postecoglou, among others, to the role.

His ability to develop young players, especially in his time at Tottenham, is said to be a key factor in the decision to bring him to Stamford Bridge.