Frank Lampard slammed Chelsea’s ‘dropped standards’ as they finished in the Premier League bottom half for the first time since 1995-96.
The Blues finished 12th in the final reckoning following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United and the last time they finished lower was 14th in 1993-94.
Stamford Bridge legend Lampard, who returned as interim manager when Graham Potter was fired in April, gave a withering assessment.
‘The standards collectively have dropped. I can be honest about that now that it’s my last game, I might not see some of them that much any more,’ he said.
‘The standards of the collective for a club like Chelsea have to be at the maximum or you won’t be physically competitive enough, or you won’t be able to play at the highest level.
Frank Lampard gave a withering assessment of ‘dropped standards’ at Chelsea after they finished 12th in the Premier League
A painful season for the Blues ended with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday
‘If you’re not together in the dressing room, and you’re not vocal in the dressing room, driving each other and competitive because I want your place and you want mine. Any top team has to have that.
‘When I came in very quickly I could see that wasn’t there enough. Of course a very good manager will help that, but everyone has to take responsibility, players and club alike.’
Lampard’s interim spell concluded with one win, two draws and eight losses from 11 games in charge.
Mauricio Pochettino has signed a contract to take over as Chelsea’s next permanent manager and Lampard warned the Argentine it won’t be an easy task.
‘I’m a big fan of Pochettino as a manager, I think he’s a very good manager,’ he said.
‘But it’s not about which individual it might be, it’s about getting the right high level of manager.
‘Pochettino’s history tells you he works at clubs of this sort of level and then letting him get to work with the players, he creates a solid identity in a team that can win some games.
‘Those things aren’t always overnight things, so we have to be careful with expectations a little bit.
Mauricio Pochettino has signed a contract to become Chelsea’s next permanent manager
The new manager will have plenty to do after a disappointing first season for Todd Boehly
‘There’s a lot of work to be done. That’s my synopsis after six weeks, the basics that I keep talking about – standards are so relevant to this club at the minute.’
Pochettino won’t have the distraction of European football next season as he begins the rebuilding process following a disastrous first season under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
Thomas Tuchel was fired in early September, with Potter brought in from Brighton to replace the German.
Despite spending over £600million on new players across two transfer windows, Chelsea finished in the bottom half, exited both domestic cups to Manchester City and were beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Lampard suggested the first thing Pochettino will need to do is cut down a bloated squad.
‘When you’re Chelsea and you have a season like we’ve had there are obviously lottos things to improve,’ he said.
Lampard leaves after taking the club to 12th in the table with just one win at the club
‘The next manager will need a pre-season. We’re not physically competitive enough, that’s a strong opinion I have.
‘The new manager can get the squad into the place he needs it to be – the squad has been too big and that has been the biggest challenge, coming in to work with players who for whatever reason are disillusioned.
‘Those situations can be sorted out now and they need to be.
‘Some of the players have been mindful of [uncertainty over their future at the club] for a while and that’s part of the problem.
‘It’s hard to compete in this league if the players are in that middle ground – whether the club want them to leave or they want to leave, we can get to the bottom of it.
‘The dressing room was pretty quiet [after Sunday’s game] and it’s been a quiet dressing room since I got here. The players are probably sort of happy to take a break.
‘They have to take responsibility for this season but it’s up to them to go and show the pride and dedication it needed to be a Chelsea player.’
Raheem Sterling celebrates with his Chelsea team mates after his good work led to Kieran Trippier’s own goal
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
