‘He’s galvanised the club… he hasn’t put a foot wrong since he came into management’: Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole heaps praise on Frank Lampard’s influence after he guides Blues into Champions League last-16
- Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole says Frank Lampard has made a big impact at Chelsea
- The Blues legend rejoined the club this summer and has impressed as manager
- Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League despite being under transfer embargo
- They sealed their place in the Champions League last 16 after beating Lille 2-1
Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole believes Frank Lampard has given Chelsea a lift since arriving in the dugout this season – praising his decision making since becoming a coach.
Cole played alongside Lampard at Stamford Bridge for seven years as the pair won a handful of trophies together, including three Premier Leagues, three FA Cups and two League Cups.
Lampard rejoined Chelsea in the dugout this summer and despite being put under a transfer embargo and many tipping the side to struggle this season, he has led them into the top four and the team have made it through a tough group in the Champions League to reach the last 16.
Joe Cole played alongside Frank Lampard for seven years and praised his impact at Chelsea
Lampard has enjoyed a good start to life as a Chelsea manager with the team in the top four
Cole feels he has enjoyed a flawless start to life in the dugout, and praised the early impact he has had at Chelsea.
‘He has galvanised the club,’ he said, speaking as a pundit on BT Sport after Chelsea beat Lille 2-1 to seal their spot in the Champions League knockouts.
‘He hasn’t put a foot wrong since he started in management. People forget that Derby wasn’t an easy job.
Chelsea were tipped to struggle with a transfer embargo but Lampard has excelled as boss
Cole says Lampard did well to get Derby to the Championship play-off final last season
‘Allowing David Luiz to move on was a massive decision knowing he had [Fikayo] Tomori. He has been brilliant and you can only give him praise.’
His fellow pundits Rio Ferdinand and Glenn Hoddle concurred, with former Manchester United defender Ferdinand – who played with Lampard for England – impressed with the positive aura he was passing on to his players.
He said: ‘It’s great for someone so young to come in and hit the ground running the way he has. The confidence he exudes, that bodes well for the future.
‘That steeliness comes through. Teams are a reflection of their managers and I’m sure he’ll try to get that through to his players.’
The former England star has set the standard and his players have bought into his attitude
Meanwhile, former Chelsea boss Hoddle admitted he was surprised with how quickly Lampard had settled into life as a manager with the club.
‘I think he’s doing brilliantly in a short period of time. He had pride in his own performances as a player and he’s setting the standard for his team and he’s learnt so quickly. Sometimes it can take five or six years to do what he’s doing.’
Lampard left Chelsea in 2014 after 13 years at the club, and after spells at Manchester City and New York City, he tried his hand at management with Derby County.
An impressive first season with the Championship side, where he led them to the play-off final, was rewarded with the Chelsea job after Maurizio Sarri left for Juventus.