30 July, 2019 - 12:57

Chelsea’s Chances Under Frank Lampard, According To The Bookies

Chelsea officially confirmed Frank Lampard’s return to Stamford Bridge on Thursday Morning, bringing an end to weeks of speculation and angst.

The 41-year-old, who left the club as its highest ever scorer after a 13-year spell back in 2014, will be taking over from where Maurizio Sarri left off, signing a three-year deal with the Blues in the hopes of keeping them competitive with a transfer ban looming and Eden Hazard gone.

“I am immensely proud to be returning to Chelsea as head coach,” the former England international told the club’s official website. “Everyone knows my love for this club and the history we have shared, however, my sole focus is on the job in hand and preparing for the season ahead. I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get started.”

Lampard is relatively inexperienced as a manager, having spent just one full year coaching before being offered the Chelsea job. But, given the Blues’ current circumstances, there’s hardly any doubt he’s the right man for the job.

For one, he’s the man the fans wanted, and not simply due to the emotional attachment to the former midfielder who brought so much joy, scored so many goals and won everything there was to win with Chelsea save a Club World Cup.

If there’s one complaint nearly every Chelsea fan has against every manager since Jose Mourinho’s first stint, is their insistence on overlooking academy talent. With Lampard, though, it’s likely to be the least of their concerns, especially as there’s not much of a choice anyhow.

The likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi (whenever they’re healthy) should get their fair share of minutes. Fikayo Tomori, who played under Lampard alongside Mount at Derby County, will probably get a look in as well.

Fan favorite Michy Batshuayi, a striker who has rarely had a chance to shine at Chelsea, has returned from loan and will likely come upon his moment next season.

Lampard’s arrival brings with it one of the warmest atmosphere’s Blues fans have experienced in a while. The first two years of Jose Mourinho’s second stint were probably the last time things felt this good at Chelsea and that Petr Cech is now technical director while Jody Morris, Claude Makelele and Didier Drogba are all going to be involved makes it so much better. It’s really a pity Gianfranco Zola has followed Sarri out but there’s enough legendary blue to go around now.

At the very least, Lampard is expected to secure a top-six finish for Chelsea next season but of course, they’ll be working to finish the term in a Champions League place. Bet365 has odds of 1/5 on the Londoners finishing in the top six and 5/4 on a top-four finish and punters could secure bonus offers, free bets and the best deals from Freebets UK.

William Hill’s offering 25/1 odds on the Blues winning the league title next season but Manchester City remain the favorites at 8/13 with Paddy Power. Chelsea are 2/1 to end the campaign as the top London-based outfit in the top flight while rivals Tottenham Hotspur are favored over them at 6/5.

The Blues are 33/1 to succeed Liverpool as Champions League winners and are 9/1 to win the FA Cup with Betfair. They’ve been stamped with odds of 12/1 to capture the League Cup with Paddy Power as well.

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Author: John Cage

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