football.london takes a look at the talking points from Chelsea's draw with Newcastle United.
Time to say goodbye
The final day of the season brings with it the acknowledgement that some players present may not feature for the club again. Heading into the afternoon, the talk was of Mason Mount and whether Sunday evening would be the day he said goodbye.
The 24-year-old arrived separately to the team bus and recovering from injury, Mount was once again not in the squad and was unable to grace the pitch in Chelsea's hallowed colours. Instead he was sat behind the dugout with his teammates who had also not made the squad in the form of Armando Broja, Ben Chilwell, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and N'Golo Kante.
READ MORE: Every word Frank Lampard said on Pochettino, disillusioned Chelsea players and being honest
The Cobham product joined the Chelsea squad on the pitch at full time to complete the customary lap of honour. He was among stragglers as the lap started and seemed to enjoy the process of delivering fans items from the goodie bag each Chelsea player was provided.
There was no wave goodbye or overindulgence, however, but there was a cuddle from Frank Lampard before he head into the depths of Stamford Bridge via the tunnel. Ben Chilwell offered some support before that moment, and there was a hint of Mount taking in his surroundings before heading in with emotion on his face. It was not a clear farewell by any stretch, but it was perhaps a hint of the contemplation Mount will now do.
Likewise, N'Golo Kante, though thorough on hitting every corner of the ground, did not make clear where his future lies. His contract is set to expire at the end of next month with no solution currently in place, while Edouard Mendy did provide some waves into the stands but similarly left his future uncertain.
One man who did appear to confirm his planned departure was Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The former Crystal Palace and Fulham loanee embraced Cesar Azpilicueta and clapped the crowd before taking in their admiration as he walked off the pitch. It was a poignant moment and the possibility of a move to AC Milan seems all the more plausible.
Blues captain Azpilicueta also appeared intent on taking in his surroundings. The Spaniard was the final player to complete his lap and Lampard made sure to wait for him by the players' tunnel. The duo embraced and shared some words before heading back in, and really looked to take in the moment.
Lampard noted in his press conference that Azpilicueta's future was uncertain and the 33-year-old - who had a banner dedicated to him ahead of the game - suggested that you never know when you may have played your last for a team, in his programme notes.
He said: "I look back at the game when I suffered that head injury, leaving the stadium on a stretcher, and hearing you singing, it made me realise you never know when will be your last game on the pitch - that's the reality. So I try to make the most of every day and to give my best for the club every time I have the chance, as I always have done. Chelsea is a huge part of my life and I am proud to be a part of it every time I wear the badge."
In truth, many of the squad present on Sunday evening will be gone come August, if Chelsea are doing their job correctly. It is the club's task to ensure only the correct players depart. Whether Mount or anyone else is part of that remains to be seen.
Lampard's revelations
Chelsea's caretaker manager held his last press conference following the match, and while he avoided targeted specifics, the 44-year-old was sure to make his feelings on a number of matters that have seen the Blues falter this season.
Lampard highlighted that players have been thinking about a future away from the club, and that now it is among the priorities that must be in place.
He said: "It's hard to compete in this league or at this level if some players are in that middle ground and too many are. That's been a thing. Maybe getting to the end of it is a good thing. Whoever is emotional or has their eye on somewhere else or whether the club want them to leave or they want to leave. Now we get to the bottom of it quickly."
The Blues boss also noted that the size of the squad has probably been his most difficult obstacle.
"The squad has been too deep and that's the biggest challenge I've found day to day," said Lampard. "Coming in and trying to work with big numbers and players that are maybe a little bit, for whatever reason, disillusioned, for right or wrong, that they're not playing or they might be leaving. Those situations can be sorted out now and they have to be."
Must worryingly Lampard went further with his assertion that standards had dropped within the club. He said: "There is a lot of work to be done, that's my synopsis after six weeks, the basics I keep talking about. Standards sounds a really simple word but it's so relevant to this club at the minute. Standards collectively have dropped, I can be honest about that, particularly as it's the last game, I might not see some of them that much anymore anyway.
"The standards for a club like Chelsea have to be at a maximum or you won't be physically competitive enough. Or you won't get to play at a high level or a high speed like the Premier League demands. If you're not together in the dressing room, and you're not vocal in the dressing room driving each other and competitive because I want your place and you want mine and all of those things - any top team has to have that. At the minute, when I came in, very quickly I could see that wasn't there enough."
Some people may consider that Lampard is defending his own reputation having won just once with the group. Regardless, the comments must be taking seriously with the Chelsea legend, if nothing else, having an in-depth knowledge of elite dressing rooms.
What comes next?
The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino and a lot of hard work.
The issues highlighted by Lampard, in particular around the make-up of the squad must be resolved to provide the next Chelsea boss with the opportunity to start on the front foot. The transfer window opens in little over two weeks and the Blues must be active in shedding players and agreeing contracts with the players they want to keep.
Kante's contract must be near the top of the agenda as he nears the final month of his deal, while there will be a number of decisions made with the release and retained lists expected in the next couple of weeks.
A break will be on the cards of players but there is no time to rest for the hierarchy.
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