Analysis as Frank Lampard returns to Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are 5-4 to land a top-four finish in the Premier League after appointing former player Frank Lampard as their new head coach.

Lampard, who led Derby to the Sky Bet Championship playoff final last season, had been excused from reporting for pre-season training duties with County this week as he negotiated with the Blues.

The London club recently parted company with Juventus-bound Maurizio Sarri who led them to the Europa League title, the League Cup final and a third-placed finish in 2019.

After Sarri and the Chelsea faithful endured such a tumultuous relationship during his one-year tenure, it is unsurprising to see the board opt for one of the club's most beloved players as their new boss.

But does Lampard have the credentials to manage a top-six club in England's elite division?

The short answer is no.

After Derby finished sixth in 2017-18, Lampard took the squad, sprinkled it with loan signings from his former club including Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori, and finished in the same position with one fewer point than the previous campaign.

It was a solid season but hardly one which warrants such a meteoric rise up the managerial ladder.

Instead it feels as though this is a move borne out of sentiment and nostalgia.

Lampard's move coincides with a transfer ban for Chelsea and the loss of their world-class star Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.

That leaves him desperately short of quality and dependent on untried players out on loan coming straight into the team and making an impact.

It would not be a surprise if the former midfielder struggled in his first stab at Premier League management but no other club would give him a more welcoming environment to start.

Few Chelsea fans will be anticipating a title triumph but with all the above factors weighing against him, coupled with his reputation at the club, he will likely be given much more time than the average Blues boss has been.

The focus may shift to Chelsea's younger contingent in the wake of the transfer ban and Lampard has at least shown an ability to get the best out of young talent, such as Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson last season.

On paper Lampard to Chelsea has the makings of a tricky match but the Blues are typically at their most dangerous when circumstances are against them.

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