Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s interim manager, has said that it is “a bit much” to say that the team is “broken”. Despite spending more than £550 million on players this season, the Blues are currently 11th in the Premier League. Their last chance of winning a competition this season is the Champions League, but they trail Real Madrid 2-0 before Tuesday’s quarter-final second leg. Lampard believes that the team is not where they want to be, but that the word “broken” is too strong. He also commented that if Chelsea were to overturn Real Madrid’s advantage and reach the semi-finals, it would be special, but not as special as when he helped the team win the Champions League for the first time in 2012.
Lampard also addressed reports that Chelsea’s co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly had gone into the changing room after Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Brighton and called the club’s situation “embarrassing”. Kepa Arrizabalaga confirmed that Boehly had been in the changing room and Lampard said that he was comfortable with this, as it showed passion. He also said that there were no favourites in the search for a new manager, and that Chelsea were conducting a wide search to get the appointment right and build on their project.