In an eerie similarity, Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge of Chelsea after Frank Lampard was sacked as manager in 2021 was against Wolves. Just over two years on and the Blues are once more searching for a permanent manager, this time Lampard is doing the saving role.
The club legend is back to bring vibes, freedom and some stern words for a big squad that are massively underperforming. Perhaps his biggest goal is more to reset the club a bit, bring back some mid-2000s Chelsea steel and simply buy Todd Boehly and Co some time.
No matter what his true goals are and where the club really wish to feel, he has already achieved what was necessary at the club in the eyes of most fans just by not being Graham Potter. The nature of the club was becoming toxic, the fanbase turning and the squad collapsing.
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How much of this can change in just nine league games and two Champions League ties? That's one to look back on rather than predict. What is certain is that places are up for grabs here. Lampard has tried and failed with some of this squad already but he has also offered great opportunities to others.
He may just be relying on those players again here too. This is how he can start life back in charge with a win.
Trust those close to you
Lampard lost his first game at Chelsea 4-0 away to Manchester United but it was a sign of the brave steps he would take in the 2019/20 season. In his side were Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham. Later in the season he would turn to Fikayo Tomori and Reece James.
His ability to get the young players onside and performing was one of his biggest assets. He will once again be relying on Mount and James to get off to a good footing. The 24-year-old has fallen out of favour having not played since the 2-0 loss to Tottenham in February.
With an uncertain future and struggling with form it could be seen as a risk to go straight back to Mount but Lampard's faith in Cobham's players has worked in the past and offers an identity to the club that is otherwise lacking.
An answer to the big problem
For Lampard, scoring goals with his squad wasn't a major issue. Although he lost Eden Hazard's individual quality it was made up for with contributions from Abraham, Mount and his wingers chipping in. Chelsea were entertaining but not massively efficient.
Now they struggle in both boxes. Goals don't flow and defensive mistakes do. Lampard will need to make sure one of these things changes. Wolves shipped four goals at home to Leeds before the break and have been open at home in recent games. Chelsea, the kings of profligacy this season, need to find a way around it.
One way to do that could be via the wings once more. With no obvious striker, Kai Havertz has found life in front of goal tough of late, the abundance of wide forwards can offer a new outlet. Christian Pulisic is perhaps the most intriguing name given his best form for the club came under Lampard.
The goalkeeping spot
If Lampard's biggest addition to Chelsea wasn't the youth influx then it was certainly Edouard Mendy or Thiago Silva. The pair, signed for a combined £21m, were both central to the 2021 Champions League win and both were picked up by Lampard and given a chance in England against the odds and with little expectation.
The Brazilian defender remains out with injury currently but Mendy is slowly returning and was on the bench against Liverpool. It was his solidity that helped transform the backline after all confidence was lost in Kepa Arrizabalaga towards the end of Lampard's first season.
The roles have reversed though with Graham Potter choosing the Spaniard as his go-to shot-stopper, more for the ball-playing ability than anything else but his place has stuck due to Mendy's injury troubles. Kepa himself has regressed in recent weeks though and has fallen foul to criticism once more. Suring up the last line of defence and making the big call here is another way to help spread confidence throughout the team.
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