Okay here goes, for every other mothertrucker asking me what I think about the return of Frank Lampard as Chelsea boss.
And without blue-tinted glasses on, I’ll be completely up front. Of course it’s a major gamble.
I’m the first to say that managing a top club in the world’s top league is a completely different proposal to anything else.
It takes a tough bastard to handle the pressure, a squad of 25 highly-paid kids, a board that has to balance its books, fans who demand quality football and results and of course the English press, which is the most ruthless on the planet. It’s a lot!
To keep a level head, sleep at night and perform at the highest level 18 hours a day (because that’s what it is) it takes years of experience to build up resilience, to train the mind to compartmentalise and cope.
That type of experience we see in Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp and the likes. This, Frank doesn’t have. So the foundation to his job is unstable.
STILL A SUB: Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Photo: Andrew Yates/Reuters.
Following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s brief "honeymoon" when his players appeared released from Jose Mourinho’s shackles, he looked like a fish in a tank full of sharks, scared, bewildered, out of his depth and the weight of one of the world’s biggest clubs faltering squarely on his shoulders.
Lampard on the other hand has a "get out of jail free card" in the top pocket of his sharp navy blue suit.
It has mitigating conditions that excuse his responsibility for a season void of silver success or a top four finish. No Eden Hazard, no transfers, no expectations!
Despite a Chelsea side minus the mercurial Belgian, Frank is still spouting confident words, indicating his belief in immediate results.
As for his coaching and tactical ability, much like Ole, there’s little to go on.
The one positive being that he successfully integrated youngsters into Derby’s first team and together had a relatively successful season, missing out on promotion in the playoffs.
Chelsea have a plethora of talented kids, on loan and sweating it out at Cobham, at his disposal and with the almost god-like status he commands at the Bridge, no doubt he’ll get the very best out of them.
One of the biggest impacts Frank will immediately have (and it will feel like a world-class signing) is N'Golo Kante back in his holding role Thank god! The little powerpack has the ability single-handedly to break down the planet's best midfield.
Of course there is incoming winger Christian Pulisic. Okay, obviously no Hazard, but bagfuls of potential.
I’m a realist, I don’t see the Blues having a massive season, rather reconciling what we have, merging in a few youngsters and creating a happier playing environment.
MIDFIELD MARVEL: Chelsea midfield terrier N’Golo Kante. Photo: Peter Nicholls/Reuters.
There’s no doubt the board will splash huge cash once the ban is over, given comments made about their total commitment to making Lampard and Chelsea successful.
There is the chance that he truly turns out to be a messiah, looking back over the years there have been many top players who have gone on to become top coaches.
Brian Clough, Johan Cruyff, Diego Simeone and Guardiola to name a few!
But more than the football, more than the success, more than anything, what is 100 percent certain is that "Super Frank" will bring unity back to Stamford Bridge.
He’ll bring a massive atmosphere on match days and proper commitment from his players.
He ain’t no super-sub, he didn’t score one or two crucial goals, he is to Chelsea what "King Cantona" is to United.
Don’t be surprised if he has more than a decent first season! Coooome onnnnn uuuuu bluuuuues!