After a season of carping about a Maurizio Sarri wreathed in smoke and tactical mystification, Chelsea now have a true blue West London legend lined up to take charge of their Eden Hazard-less squad and the battalions of youth prospects they’ve amassed beneath the senior level.
Lamps will have to shine a light on some of the untested youngsters on the books at Stamford Bridge as their transfer ban bites this summer.
The Blues’ record goalscorer’s proved his worth with, err… a single season at Derby County where his Rams side charged through Bielsa’s Leeds to line up against Aston Villa in the playoff final, but couldn’t force their way past the Villans and his old mucker John Terry.
But where he lost that battle with the lionhearted one, he won the war to take the reins of the Europa League champions following the departure of their much-maligned Italian manager.
We’re not so sure it’ll be anything like the marriage made in heaven the Kensington dwellers might hope though – think more Ole’s hands off the wheel rather than his pre-PSG streak at the wheel.
And he’ll have a chance to test the United manager’s steering on the opening weekend as the Londoners visit Old Trafford to begin their 2019/20 Premier League campaign, before welcoming Leicester to their manor and then heading to East Anglia for the newly-promoted Norwich City.
Not the easiest set of games for openers, and we’re so confident it’ll be a pear-shaped start for the Premier League’s fourth-highest goalscorer in the manager’s seat at the Bridge that we’re jacking up the odds from 5/1 to 8/1 that he’ll be winless through those opening three league fixtures.
Fancy a taste? Get over the PaddyPower.com for a bit of the action, but be quick about it. We all know Roman’s a man with a short fuse when it comes to managers – Frank could be out the door if he looks at the boss the wrong way.
Frank Lampard 8/1 not to win any of his first three Chelsea League games