Chelsea have chosen Frank Lampard as the man to replace Maurizio Sarri following a tempestuous one-season spell at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge as a player and remains the club's all-time top scorer having racked up 211 goals in all competitions.
His Derby County side lost to Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final at Wembley earlier this month but a move back to south west London ensures Lampard will be a Premier League manager regardless.
The 41-year-old has a tough task on his hands, certainly according to the bookmakers as bet365 offer 25/1 (26.0) that Chelsea win the top-flight title in his debut campaign in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
It's 3/1 (4.0) that the Blues win any major trophy in the 2019-20 campaign. That includes the league title, FA Cup, League Cup or a European crown. The same firm offer 1/3 (1.33) that the Blues don't win a major trophy.
GettyThe Blues finished 23 points behind champions Manchester City and Lampard faces a tough task to maintain their domestic standing based on the current prices.
Having sold Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, the club now face a transfer ban which will rule out incoming boss bolstering his squad over the coming months.
Mateo Kovacic's loan has been made permanent while Christian Pulisic's arrival was already agreed prior to the punishment being enforced by Fifa so the 20-year-old will join from Borussia Dortmund as planned but Lampard won't be able to bring in further reinforcements.
The Londoners do have an extensive network of younger players to call upon, many of which have previously been on loan elsewhere. The ban on any new arrivals could work in the favour of prospects such as Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount, as well as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek when they return from injury.
bet365’s Steve Freeth said “Lampard did a lot better than many expected in his first season in management and a return to Chelsea, however early, was always going to be hard to resist. However, a transfer embargo and the loss of Eden Hazard, means he could find it difficult to better Sarri’s efforts of last season.”
Despite a third-place finish under Sarri, bet365 offer 11/10 (2.10) that Chelsea achieve a top four spot in the 2019-20 season and it's 11/8 (2.38) that Lampard leads his new side to two league wins over former club West Ham.
Leading duo Manchester City (1/33) and Liverpool are expected to retain their Champions League status with the battle for the other two positions emerging between Lampard's side, Tottenham (8/15), Manchester United (11/10) and Arsenal (5/4).
A Europa League triumph does guarantee Chelsea a place in Europe's premier club competition next term and bet365 go 33/1 (34.0) that the Blues replicate their 2012 success.
Odds correct at the time of publish. Please gamble responsibly.
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