Ian Wright admits he is ‘worried’ for Frank Lampard and doubts he has ‘enough time’ to turn things around at Chelsea.
But the former Arsenal and England striker believes Lampard can start by recalling Stamford Bridge flop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the side.
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Premier League relegation-battlers Wolves in Lampard’s first game back in charge of the team.
Ex-Brighton boss Graham Potter only spent seven months at Chelsea but lost his job last weekend after the Blues dropped into the bottom-half of the Premier League.
Chelsea’s hierarchy will wait until the summer to appoint Potter’s permanent replacement – Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique are two of the favourites for the job – and put Lampard in charge until the end of the season.
Wright fears Lampard – who spent 18 months at Chelsea during his first spell as manager – is on a hiding to nothing at Stamford Bridge and says he is ‘confused’ by the appointment.
‘I messaged him before his appointment and hopefully we’re going for a drink soon,’ he said on the Wrighty’s House podcast. ‘Then I saw Lampard was being linked with the [Chelsea] job and it’s really difficult for me because we’re close.
‘I’m afraid, I just want him to do so well. I’m afraid because it’s not gone too well for him up to this point. Derby was okay, the Chelsea job was too good to turn down, then Everton and everything that’s happening there.
‘I’m just worried for a friend. Does this move help him? How does it help him? Is he doing it as a favour? Does he want to get back into management right now?
‘It’s turmoil at Chelsea at the moment. I’m very confused and worried about the whole thing.
‘What’s in it for Frank? Has he got enough time to organise these players and has he learnt enough from his last experience at Chelsea and Everton to feel he can get this team in place in the limited time he has?
‘I’m hoping that’s why he’s gone back but has he got enough time? I don’t know, and I’m not sure how this benefits him.’
Chelsea, sitting 11th in the Premier League, have eight more league games after Saturday’s defeat to Wolves and face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Aubameyang will not feature against the Champions League holders after being left out of Chelsea’s European squad, but Wright believes he should be recalled for league games.
The Gabon striker established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe during his four-year spell at Arsenal but has underwhelmed at Stamford Bridge, scoring three goals in 18 appearances since a deadline-day move from Barcelona last summer.
‘The last time Lampard was at Chelsea, I remember him liking Aubameyang,’ Wright added. ‘He will score the chances Chelsea are creating right now.
‘It feels like it’s set up for Aubameyang to come in. Chelsea could easily still start beating teams.
‘If Chelsea start Aubameyang up front with Sterling or Mudryk or Felix – they’ve got so much to choose from – I swear to God, Chelsea can absolutely cook some teams.’
Lampard’s Chelsea travel to the Bernabeu on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Real Madrid are currently 12 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
MORE : James Corden convinced Chelsea owner Todd Boehly to appoint Frank Lampard
MORE : Frank Lampard speaks out as first game back at Chelsea ends in defeat
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
