Chelsea suffer fresh Premier League pain – this time against Leicester – as Shevchenko linked with Stamford Bridge hotseat

BY PAUL LAGAN
paul@slpmedia.co.uk

Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has emerged as a surprise candidate to replace head coach Frank Lampard, should he be sacked by the Blues.

Shevchenko, 44, is the Ukraine national coach but, just as importantly, is a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who was instrumental in bringing the striker to SW6 in 2006 for £31million.

Shevchenko has political ambitions and it’s this keen understanding by the Ukrainian of political machinations so prevalent at Stamford Bridge that Abramovich would instinctively appreciate and having a kindred political spirit as head coach would be viewed to be a good addition to his CV.

Lampard oversaw another tepid display in the 2-0 defeat against Leicester City on Tuesday night that leaves the west Londoners eighth in the Premier League.

Chelsea have lost five of their past seven league matches, with just one win, a narrow 1-0 victory over relegation-haunted Fulham.

Lampard admitted on Tuesday night that it can be difficult to find the best team selection while the players are searching for improvements.

However that kind of answer will cut little ice in the corridors of power when Chelsea have assembled a squad expected to challenge for the title rather than be one scrambling to be in contention for a Europa League place.

The Blues hierarchy will see it as Lampard’s job to get the players to perform to their expected level.

There are also rumblings within the camp that some players have lost faith in Lampard’s tactics and that he is showing baffling inconsistency in team selection.

One example is Toni Rudiger, who has gone from fifth-choice centre-back at the beginning of the season to first choice, with Kurt Zouma now binned from the side.

Lampard is taking the view that his future at the club is not down to him so he won’t worry about it.

But he might well be sleep-walking into getting the bullet by admitting this while stating his team is not ready to compete for the title.

Asked about the reports his job is under threat, he replied: “I can’t control it.

“We went 16 unbeaten, then lost two on the bounce and I started to be asked about it.

“I understand it, the expectations of this club whether I think it is right or wrong.

“We are not in the position as Chelsea Football Club as we were in the periods when we were winning leagues.

“The squad consistency is not the same, the level, the robustness of players who’ve won leagues is not the same.

“The ability of players that can get you results, at the top end of the pitch in a tight game, is not quite there. It is a developing team.

“I can’t get caught up in what the reaction will be or I will be sitting there all day concerned about it.

“I took this job knowing there would be difficult times because it is not a club ready to compete.”

If the board are of the same opinion, then Lampard can feel justified in feeling safe. The trouble is that the board will be looking for a top four finish as a minimum requirement.

The Blues are at home to Luton Town in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

Chelsea Women beat Manchester United 2-1 on Sunday to leapfrog the Mancunians on goal difference to go top of the WSL with a game in hand. Goals from Pernille Harder and Fran Kirby secured the three points in an enthralling top of the table clash at Kingsmedow.

Emma Hayes’ side are at rock bottom Bristol City on Sunday.