If the second coming of Frank Lampard as a manager at Chelsea was designed to provide a turnaround for their under fire players, then Todd Boehly's gamble got off to a lame start on Saturday.
The Blues were uninspired as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Wolves, courtesy of a 31st minute goal from Matheus Nunes. It left the visitors 11th in the table, with any hopes of European football next season all but extinguished.
And there is little time for Lampard, sacked by Everton earlier in the campaign, to take stock. On Wednesday he takes his side to face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League tie - a competition which represents their last chance of salvaging a dismal season.
Shearer backs Chelsea for Champions League glory
Chelsea beating Real Madrid over two legs and going onto win the Champions League amid turmoil at the club and a temporary manager in charge? Seems nigh on impossible until minds are cast back to that surreal 2012/13 European campaign - and then of course 2020/21.
And Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer believes history could repeat itself. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he went on and won the Champions League,” he said on the BBC. “What a turnaround that would be.”
It might surprise everyone else though Alan....
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Corden credited with the return of a legend
If there was ambivalence from Chelsea fans over the reappointment of their former midfielder, rumours as to who was responsible for the move won't help. Not when it's been attributed to a former Gavin and Stacey star anyway.
James Corden famously hosts Sky programme A League Of Their Own in which Lampard’s cousin, Jamie Redknapp, is a team captain. From this Corden has struck up a friendship with Lampard, and reports in The Sun have hailed the influence of 'Smithy' in Todd Boehly's decision. It's unlikely that Roman Abramovich utilise the same advisors during his own reign.....
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Sky no longer the limit for Chelsea and co?
The Sky Sports influence on the Premier League has been monumental - and with five titles this century fair to say the Blues have been integral to their coverage. But the Premier League are discussing in the future ditching their multi partners including Sky Sports and BT Sport and showing games on their own platform.
It would represent a huge blow Sky who since 1992, have helped build the Premier League to the global phenomenon it is. And the radical plans, if passed, will represent a seismic change in the landscape of UK football coverage.
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