Graeme
Souness believes Frank Lampard has the most difficult managerial job at
Chelsea since Roman Abramovich arrived in 2003.
The former Chelsea midfielder is the 14th manager to take charge of the club
in that time, and he is yet to win his first competitive game with two
defeats and a draw.
But there was support from the Sky Sports pundits, with Souness saying that
Lampard has taken on the biggest task since Abramovich arrived.
He said: "I think this is the most difficult job for a Chelsea manager since
Roman Abramovich took over the club. The owner appears to have lost interest
through circumstances not of his own making, but that's a factor I think.
"The transfer ban is also a major issue and losing arguably one of the best
players in the world [Eden Hazard], or certainly the best player in the
Premier League over the last five or six years, it's not easy.
"He needs time and you can't be judging Frank Lampard on what you see now -
this is what he's inherited. There's not a lot wrong with them, just people
being slightly different at vital times and scoring more goals.
"When this team are on the front foot, they're fabulous to watch. But when
the game goes the other way, there are not a lot of people who can sense
that danger to say 'let's be difficult to play against'. We've seen it twice
now in succession - at Old Trafford and today."
Redknapp slams 'deluded' expectations
Jamie Redknapp also backed Lampard despite a slow start, and harshly
criticised those who may have over-reaching expectations for Chelsea this
season.
He added: "Of course, Lampard has to be treated differently because Chelsea
have lost their superstar. Hazard was the one player that would produced a
piece of magic to make a goal or score a goal.
"You've not been able to buy a player but Manchester United have gone out
and got Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, spent £130m-odd on players. But
Chelsea haven't had that luxury so of course, they have to be treated
differently.
"And if you think Lampard should finish in the top four and win a cup,
you're deluded. It's completely wrong to have that expectation.
"This manager needs time, he's going to give young players an opportunity
and if he finishes in the top four, that's an incredible achievement with
this team. They have to finish in the top six, I think, because they have
good enough players to do that, plus the know-how and winning mentality.
"He's not blessed with the best squad Chelsea have ever had. There are not
many who would have got in the teams Ashley [Cole] played in or maybe even
Antonio Conte's team. But that's why they've got to be patient, which is not
something they're always keen to have at Chelsea."
Cole: Chelsea shouldn't panic yet
Lampard's former Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole also agrees that the new
manager needs time but says they do need to start scoring goals.
Making a guest appearance on Sky Sports - where he also announced his
retirement from football - Cole said: "Chelsea's start was very good. From
minute one, they had their game plan to press, to make runs in behind and it
worked. Then after that, it was a little bit disappointing.
"We spoke a lot about where the goals are going to come so when you take a
1-0 lead, you need to try and get another one because you don't feel like
you're going to get enough chances.
"In this game, they had enough chances but they didn't finish them. That
would be the main concern for Frank - are they going to be good enough to
take their chances and score more than one per game?
"Chelsea have got the players and everyone expects them to be in the top
four or six, but the Premier League has changed. The manager needs time, the
players need time and I don't think everyone should panic yet."
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