Chelsea’s new interim boss Frank Lampard was less than impressed and insisted they have to change their mindset after the Blues fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Premier League strugglers Wolves in his first match back at the helm.
After parting ways with Graham Potter earlier this week, the Stamford Bridge management moved quickly to appoint Lampard as caretaker manager until the end of the season as they continue their search for Potter’s permanent replacement.
The task is now on Lampard, who was sacked by Roman Abramovich after 18 months in charge back in 2021, to lift the strugglin Blues, who headed into Saturday’s match languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
While the Chelsea legend was predictably greeted with a rapturous reception from the travelling fans at Molineux, his side failed to show similar enthusiasm, as a superb Matheus Nunes strike proved the difference in a 1-0 win for the hosts.
The Blues stayed 11th in the Premier League table after the loss and looking toothless in the attacking third, scoring just 29 times in their 30 league games this season.
Lampard believes the mindset must change because there is an extraordinary lack of confidence in front of goal, although he thought the game was otherwise even.
Lampard said to the BBC: “I thought the performance in the first half was 70% or so. It was enough for it to be an even game and there was a rocket from them out of nowhere.
“In the second half there was more energy, more chances and we got more people in the box. Maybe it was [missing] that feeling we could score. We have been working here for one or two days and it’s about getting an understanding of that and the mindset of the team.
“There has been a lot of change and that’s not an excuse but things need to improve and I think that performance summed it up. I have to get an understanding of it. When I say mindset, it’s not necessarily a negative. You have to get used to winning and make it a habit. Credit to Wolves today, they were physical and stuck in for a win.
“We will work and recreate. We will get into those positions and repeat it. Maybe there’s a feeling you won’t score. I’ve been there before and as a club we need to address it.
“It’s not where the club wants to be but it’s the reality and we have to work through it. You have to get to a point where you can move forward. We need to lift it more than we did today.”
The challenge only gets tougher for Chelsea, with a trip to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on the horizon.
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