Chelsea players are confused over Frank Lampard’s constant tinkering with his team selection, according to reports. The Blues boss is under pressure at Stamford Bridge amid his side’s inconsistent performances in the Premier League. They go up against Luton Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup looking to swerve a major upset, somethings that would potentially see Lampard sacked.
Chelsea did well under Lampard last season, with the 42-year-old guiding them to fourth in the Premier League table.
But the Blues have struggled this term, currently sitting ninth in the table.
Lampard has cut a frustrated figure at Chelsea in recent times, with the majority of his summer signings failing to settle at Stamford Bridge.
He’s got some credit in the bank from his achievements last season but patience at the top is running thin, with Roman Abramovich mulling over the sack.
And ESPN say players within the Chelsea dressing room are confused at the way the 42-year-old is managing things behind the scenes.
THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sporting knowledge with our tricky quiz
But he didn’t last the course, with Chelsea opting to axe him to bring in Luiz Felipe Scolari instead.
Andriy Shevchenko is another in the frame, with the AC Milan icon having a good relationship with Abramovich.
And when it comes to permanent replacements, several have been linked.
Massimiliano Allegri is one of them, though the prospect of Chelsea hiring the former Juventus boss appears remote.
And Thomas Tuchel and Brendan Rodgers have emerged as possibilities as well.
Meanwhile, former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov thinks Chelsea must give Lampard time to turn things around.
He told Betfair: “It is a difficult situation for Frank Lampard and Chelsea. They have lost three of their last five games.
“They lost against Leicester which would have been a painful one against a rival in the title race.
“I hope they give Lampard more time. He is trying to build something there.
“I don’t like to compare Lampard and Solskjaer, but Chelsea have spent a lot of money on Werner and Havertz.
“Frank knows the environment there and I think he can turn it round there like Ole did at Manchester United.”
Lampard cut a frustrated figure on Friday before the Luton game, snapping at a journalist by saying: “To be fair, I think their confidence would be shot if they were to read some of the pieces you write at the minute.
“I read some of them and some of the confirmation bias you always reflect on games with, it’s almost like a social media pundit to try and get a reaction in a negative way.
“I read the pieces when we were doing well as well and they didn’t go both ways.
“So for a journalist to be objective would be a big start. Because if the players do read it, I’d feel like that.”
