Chelsea have a rare weekend off thanks to Manchester United's continued involvement in the FA Cup and Frank Lampard finally has some time to spend on the training pitches with his squad. The Blues' caretaker manager took charge of four games in less than two weeks, including two pivotal legs against Real Madrid.
Having landed out of the Champions League, the pace of fixtures is now more relaxed for the Blues, and Lampard will have increased exposure to his team and enhanced opportunity to work them physically. Certainly, those players he is less familiar with will have a greater chance to impress and earn some playing time.
Everything now looks towards the end of the season and what might come next. Recent days has seen the talk over Chelsea's new manager ratchet up as Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart look to find their next appointment having put Lampard in charge until the end of the season.
READ NEXT: Man United vs Chelsea fixture date confirmed as Blues set for nightmare final three games
With all that said, football.london takes a look at the biggest talking points surrounding Chelsea this weekend.
What's left to play for?
It's hard to see much, unless you are Frank Lampard. The caretaker manager's message was simple: "The motivation has to be playing for Chelsea".
"People on the outside may well write it off, coming in eighth or 12th, or whatever it is," added the Blues boss. "To me it means a lot. That for me is the challenge; to raise performance. I keep saying I haven’t had time to work, I have now had some time to work and I saw things today that I liked."
Getting knocked out of the Champions League has perhaps removed an incentive for every member of the squad to be fully invested in the end of the term, with the likelihood that the club are sent for a flurry of exits come the summer. However, Chelsea's spending in the last 12 months has ensured many are still trying to earn their place and prove their value at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard's early time a the club already appears to have seen Trevoh Chalobah and Conor Gallagher prove that the Blues boss will reward form and fitness. With the likes of Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke short of minutes in recent weeks, they will undoubtedly be chomping at the bit to prove themselves. It also may allow us on the outside to see who may be eyeing a future elsewhere.
Chelsea's next manager
Chelsea's shortlist got a little bit shorter when Julian Nagelsmann pulled out of the running at the end of the week. There has been plenty of debate over the German coach's ranking in Chelsea's search versus Nagelsmann's interest in the job but ultimately, the Blues have had to move on.
Now Mauricio Pochettino is the most established name in contention as the Blues consider who to appoint. Discussions were held in the summer with the former Spurs boss who has been without a job since the summer of 2022, before the Blues went with Graham Potter and the 51-year-old would appear to tick many boxes for the west London side.
It's hard to categorise Pochettino's time in the Premier League as anything but success as he improved both Spurs and Southampton and has a track record of improving highly regarded young players. His Lilywhite connection may be problematic for some, but Pochettino surely wouldn't mind finding success against them after his dismissal from the club.
Vincent Kompany also remains in contention after his success with Burnley. Perhaps a less convincing appointment after a single year of success and a mixed time at Anderlecht, but nevertheless the Beglian has proved impressive.
Chelsea have made clear that they want to do their due diligence on this appointment. Even when there were early favourites for the role there was a determination to cast the net wider than one or two names. It's vital the Blues make the right appointment.
The Chelsea hierarchy have until the end of the season to find the figure who will succeed Frank Lampard. Any later and pre-season plans and preparations will be firmly underway and criticism will no doubt fly with a little break before work can get underway in a bid to improve upon this season's performance.
It seems the club could come in ahead of time on current momentum with the suggestion that an appointment could be announced within the next 10 days.
Mystery manager theories
In a somewhat rare development, Chelsea have managed to keep the third name who appears to be in contention quiet for the time being. There is a suggestion that the coach is highly regaded but comes from a lesser-perceived league. That does leave a couple of names that have been connected to the job as possibilities.
Social media has certainly done some deliberating and Ruben Amorim, Sporting CP's current manager and Marcelo Gallardo, formerly of River Plate, have been theorised to fit the bill for the secret name. That the latter had an interview with the Athletic released on the same day as news emerged about Chelsea's shortlist undoubtedly added some fevour.
Gallardo, who is highly regarded by Pep Guardiola, spoke about what he is looking for in his next role. He said: “I am visualising what the next step in my career might be,” Gallardo tells The Athletic. “It has to relate to a feeling. You have to find the right connection, the place where you can transmit your ideas. I’m not the kind of person who will just join any old club because I want to coach in Europe. That’s not my way of operating.
“I need to find a place that makes me feel something. I need a sense of identification. If I don’t get that, I have no problem continuing with what I’m doing now.”
A compelling thread remains, even if Pochettino appears to have moved to the forefront of contenion. Latest reports suggest that Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is the missing name however.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea sent 'silly money' Mason Mount message as Liverpool's Jude Bellingham plan becomes clear
Nkunku's vital role, defensive dilemma - How Chelsea could line up under Mauricio Pochettino
16 Chelsea players may have played their last Champions League game under Todd Boehly
Julian Nagelsmann's bizarre Thomas Tuchel coincidence and what it could mean for Chelsea
Next Chelsea manager latest as Todd Boehly's Julian Nagelsmann stance revealed
