Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Lampard: 'No problem' with Boehly's team talks

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Monday, 17 April 2023 12:40

Frank Lampard has said he has "no problem" with Chelsea's owners visiting the dressing room after Todd Boehly told the squad their season has been "embarrassing" following Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Brighton.

Co-controlling owner Boehly often speaks with the players after matches and during visits to the club's Cobham training base, doing so again last weekend in an attempt to rally the group ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal, second leg clash with Real Madrid.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Sources have told ESPN that Lampard had concluded his debrief with his squad when Boehly, co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali and Hansjorg Wyss all entered the dressing room.

Sources say Boehly spoke passionately and attempted to leave a positive impression on the squad but was also candid about a dismal campaign which has left them 11th in the Premier League after suffering their 12th league defeat of the season against Brighton.

Speaking on Monday ahead of Madrid's visit to Stamford Bridge, when Chelsea must try to overturn a 2-0 deficit from last week's first leg in Spain, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga confirmed that "Todd comes to the changing room every game [and] had different chats with us for different games" but stopped short of confirming the content of Boehly's latest speech.

And caretaker boss Lampard compared Boehly's intervention with the often distant approach adopted by previous owner Roman Abramovich prior to his sale of the club last year amid United Kingdom government sanctions relating to alleged ties with Russia President Vladimir Putin.

When asked whether he had an issue with the owners being a regular presence in the dressing room, Lampard replied: "I am comfortable with that.

"For me, there was maybe some criticism of our old owner [Abramovich] of not coming to the games and not being around. That wasn't always true, to be fair.

"But I think when an owner is very invested in their interest in the team and want to help and improve, it is their prerogative to have the input that they want. I remember the moments as a player of owners first coming into dressing rooms -- it actually happened here at Chelsea, it never really happened to me before.

"I remember being really happy that you could touch them, you could high-five them, you could listen to them and feel them. So I don't think it is a bad thing in terms of the identity of the club and where you want to get to.

"I have no problem with it from my point of view. I had my things I wanted to say after the game. If the owner wants to come in be positive, speak to the players be positive. Like Kepa has said there, it can be very regular in the modern day. No problem. In fact, it shows passion and that's the first thing I like."

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who spent years as Chelsea boss between 2009 and 2011, was asked about Boehly's team talks in his news conference later on Monday.

"For the owner it could be an important motivation to the players," Ancelotti said. "Chelsea are not in a good moment.

"If the owner of the club wants to inspire the players, it could be a good move. If the club want to do it, I don't have a problem with it... If he wants to talk to me after every game, I'm pleased to do it. The owner has the right to know what are the manager's decisions."

Read 132 times

Soccer

Sources: Van Nistelrooy set for Leicester job

Sources: Van Nistelrooy set for Leicester job

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy is in line to...

Bale backs stuttering Mbappé: Still world's best

Bale backs stuttering Mbappé: Still world's best

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Real Madrid star Gareth Bale defended Kylian Mbappé after th...

Carlo: Pen miss shows Mbappé 'lack of confidence'

Carlo: Pen miss shows Mbappé 'lack of confidence'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti said Kylian Mbappé is suffering from "a lack of con...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Injury-plagued Beal hobbles off in loss to Nets

Injury-plagued Beal hobbles off in loss to Nets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Suns guard Bradley Beal limped off the court in the four...

OKC wins but sees Jalen Williams (eye) exit early

OKC wins but sees Jalen Williams (eye) exit early

EmailPrintSAN FRANCISCO -- Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams exited Wednesday's 105-101 win...

Baseball

Dodgers minor leaguer suspended for doping

Dodgers minor leaguer suspended for doping

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jose D. Hernandez was sus...

Crawford, 2-time WS champ with Giants, retires

Crawford, 2-time WS champ with Giants, retires

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Brandon Crawford is retiring after 14 major league...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated