‘Don’t come’: Lampard hits out at Chelsea squad after Wolves defeat
In his first game back in the dugout as interim manager, Frank Lampard criticized Chelsea’s lack of aggression following a 1-0 loss to Wolves.
The Blues turned in another unsatisfactory performance, losing at Molineux due to Matheus Nunes’s first-half miracle goal. As a substitute, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his long-awaited return to action, but he and his teammates were unable to inspire the Blues to score.
The loss dropped Chelsea to 11th place in the Premier League, well above the relegation zone but 17 points behind the top four.
“I think it’s a big task in managing Chelsea Football Club,” Lampard said of the weeks ahead of him. “We know we are not in the [position we want to be in. I was aware of that and didn’t expect to solve everything in one day.
“It was a performance where, if you really analyse it, I think you have to have more aggression in a Premier League game. They’re [Wolves] a team that are fighting for their Premier League lives.”
Lampard acknowledged the on-field issues that have plagued Chelsea’s dismal season: Lampard admitted: “It was interesting to see, in many ways.
“I’m here to help with that. Four or five days ago I was planning different stuff, so that part feels surreal. I really appreciate being back. I’m disappointed we couldn’t give the fans a win on my first game back. But we go again on Wednesday in the Champions League. We’re very excited about that.”
Asked whether it concerns him that his players lack aggression, he replied: “If you’re worried then don’t come. It’s an absolute carrot for them when they sign for Chelsea. I’m not saying that this side doesn’t have aggression.
“It’s just bringing it together. We were up against a team that were very aggressive today and maybe there were some second balls that we weren’t quite at. And I don’t mind saying it, because you have to [acknowledge] it to deal with it.”
Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match against Real Madrid requires Chelsea to quickly pick themselves up.
‘Don’t come’: Lampard hits out at Chelsea squad after Wolves defeat
