Frank Lampard has revealed an ongoing dialogue with Chelsea’s owners in a bid to overcome the systemic problems he has encountered while managing the team.
The 44-year-old returned as caretaker manager in March but has not won any of his first six games and, if he falls to defeat away at Bournemouth on Saturday, will record the joint-worst losing run in the club’s history.
Much of the blame has been laid at the door of co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali - who look set to see the club earn its lowest points total in the Premier League era.
With just five matches left, Lampard has explained that he is helping to diagnose long-term issues alongside the new regime.
He said: “Yes, I have communication about everything that is going on, as that is part of my role.
“As much as we are in a results business it is looking to how this cannot be the same next season.
“So of course my views having worked here before, having worked with the club and having an understanding of the club, a lot of the squad, my opinion can be valid. And I can express that as I go.”
Lampard painted a bleak picture of Chelsea’s issues after being dominated by Arsenal in a 3-1 defeat on Tuesday and seemed to have few crumbs of comfort to offer ahead of a match against a Cherries side who could leapfrog them in the table with a win.
The manager admitted that he doesn’t enjoy his job every day, particularly as he hasn’t had the time to fix the club’s fundamental issues: “I’m 44 years of age. I am just working like you’re working! Is your job a delight every day?”
On whether he has fixed Chelsea’s problems, Lampard added: “When I say the players care, I know they do.
“I’ve been a player and a coach and I know they always care, they all have reasons to care. The reality is the action that comes from that. Sometimes there can be many reasons why.
“It can be underperformance or not-so-great results. I don’t think that’s an issue on the training pitch as such it is working with the players as a group and individually and making sure everyone is on point.
“Of course, then you work on the training pitch. Since Arsenal, it has been pretty much recovery and small prep this morning to play.
“There’s not the turnaround or chance to deal with some of the more fundamental issues.”
Chelsea can take solace in having no new injuries this weekend but all of Mason Mount, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Armando Broja remain unavailable.
