Animated Frank Lampard puts Chelsea stars through their paces in training ahead of first game back at Blues vs Wolves
CARETAKER manager Frank Lampard took Chelsea training on Friday as he prepares to return to the dugout this weekend.
The Blues legend, 44, shocked the footballing world on Thursday when he was unveiled as the club’s interim boss until the end of the season.
It comes just two years after he was sacked by Chelsea and replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
The axing of Graham Potter – who lasted seventh months in the role – saw assistant Bruno Saltor take charge of Tuesday night’s goalless draw with Liverpool.
But now Lampard will assume control of the side for the trip to Molineux on Saturday as Chelsea bid to get back to winning ways against Wolves.
The ex-England international becomes the Blues’ fourth head coach of the season.
And he put the squad through their paces on Friday as the players looked to impress their new head coach.
A host of Chelsea’s squad were managed by Lampard during his first spell in charge – which spanned 18 months.
Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher and Cesar Azpilicueta are among those who featured under him and they looked to be putting in maximum effort during Lampard’s first session.
The interim boss appeared more animated than usual as he instructed his players.
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Chelsea’s £600millon worth of spending over the last two transfer windows means Lampard also has lots of new players at his disposal.
They include Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk – all of whom were present at the session.
N’Golo Kante could also be in Lampard’s XI on Saturday after he made his first start since August in the draw with Liverpool.
But the Chelsea boss will undoubtedly have one eye on the trip to Real Madrid four days later as they prepare to kick off their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Bernabeu.