The second new dawn of the season has begun at Chelsea as club legend Frank Lampard has returned to the dugout, but this era will be a short one. Sacked a little over two years ago, Lampard has answered the call to help his former team out in a caretaker role until the end of the season.
Bruno Saltor stuck around to oversee a goalless draw against Liverpool in midweek following Graham Potter’s sacking, but the club decided a fresh start was required. Lampard begins his second tenure at Molineux against a team the Blues traditionally do well against, losing just three encounters in 23 years. However, this Chelsea team has struggled on the road in the Premier League all season.
N’Golo Kante is back fit in a boost for Lampard, who will remarkably be the midfielder’s fourth different manager across his five games in this injury-hit season, as the returning coach gets to grips with a bloated squad. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at Molineux.
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Frank Lampard sends message to Chelsea fans ‘not delighted’ with his return as interim manager
Frank Lampard told Chelsea fans he is “forever thankful” for their support as he returned to the club as interim manager.
The 44-year-old is back at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season as a short-term replacement following Graham Potter’s sacking, with the club continuing to talk to the likes of Julian Naglesmann and Luis Enrique in the background about taking the job permanently.
For Lampard, the focus is on swiftly turning the mood around at Chelsea, with the club languishing in 11th in the Premier League after a miserable season to date.
There is still the chance to finish the campaign on the ultimate high though, with the Blues facing Real Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final tie. Chelsea travel to Spain for the first leg next week.
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Chelsea winners and losers as Frank Lampard returns: Lifelife for Mason Mount but Kepa will be worried
Frank Lampard takes training for the first time today after being appointed Chelsea caretaker manager until the end of the season.
As the fans get to grips with seeing the club legend back in the dugout, the players will also be thinking: “What does this mean for me?”
Many in the squad worked with Lampard during his first spell in west London, which ended in January 2021, so will have a sense of what is to come.
But two years is a long time, and the squad has been bolstered to the tune of £600million this season alone. Who should be happy and who should be concerned?
Here’s Nizaar Kinsella with his thoughts…
Dom Smith’s pre-match video verdict
Lampard’s pre-match message
Mason Mount injury latest as Chelsea dealt Real Madrid blow
Mason Mount is not involved against Wolves this afternoon in Frank Lampard’s first match as interim Chelsea manager, due to an injury.
Mount was one of Lampard’s most reliable players during the former Chelsea great’s two-year stint as manager between 2019 and 2021.
But he has not featured for Chelsea since February due to an abdomen injury. He had been named on the bench in the Blues’ last two matches, but reports say he pulled up in training after aggravating the same injury — forcing Lampard to leave him out of today’s matchday squad.
It makes the England international, who played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a doubt to face Real Madrid in Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against reigning champions Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Mount had been expected to play a more significant role for Lampard during the season run-in than he did under the Blues’ recently sacked manager Graham Potter.
Frank Lampard sends Graham Potter message after shock Chelsea manager return
Frank Lampard hailed Graham Potter during his first press conference since taking over at Chelsea.
The 44-year-old made a shock return to Stamford Bridge on Thursday after being confirmed as the Blues’ caretaker manager until the end of the season.
Sacked by former owner Roman Abramovich in 2021, Lampard had been out of work since leaving Everton in January.
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Glen Johnson sends Wolves vs Chelsea prediction
“I think the appointment of Frank is smart from Todd Boehly,” he told DAZN Bet.
“He will bring the feel good factor back for the rest of the season.
“I think Chelsea will win 3-0 at Molineux and I think Sterling will score.”