Thursday 4th July 2019 - the day one of Chelsea Football Club's greatest sons returns home; but is the appointment all it is cracked up to be?
For the past 15 years it has been with envy that many within the Premier League have looked up The Blues, with world class players and investment at the forefront of their success yet it is with leadership where the jealousy stops.
As Frank Lampard now holds the reigns at the club he called his own until 2014 his new position may not be a long-term fix but merely a short term boost for a glum and bleak fan-base who have seen manager after manager depart for pastures new with four in the dugout since 2016.
The 41-year-old former Derby manager has all the potential to become a top bracket manager in the world of football, but the question marks will continue to linger over his arrival within the South West London air throughout pre-season all may remain until long into his first Premier League season.
With just one years experience in the Championship, the retired England star has jumped straight in at the deep end and grabbed a chance that he never knew would come around again - but looking deeper at his appointment it just may be that his arrival is far more simplistic than being the best man for the job.
Lampard's appointment has provided an instant yet welcomed 'feel-good' factor that has been missing since it was confirmed their transfer ban would be upheld for the next TWO windows, which created a sense of panic within a fan base that up until recently had no manager or certainty about the future.
While the Champions League winners arrival will no doubt offer a feeling of the good times gone by, the task at hand will no doubt be a difficult one, with the newly appointed head coach now having to manage a team of someone else's players.
Former boss Maurizio Sarri's departure to Juventus in June sparked plunged Chelsea into further uncertainty with a number of players bought with his three year contract in mind, including Jorginho whose style of play has split opinion.
The Italian was a controversial figure at the club and the dressing room with frequent outbursts and on field disputes - most notably with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga during the Carabao Cup final when his no.1 refused to be substituted prompting the manager to walk out of the arena sparking questions over his tenure ever since.
While Football Manager plays out in real life, it is in hope of football that this appointment has a future and is not just a temporary uplift with PR positive as it could be the last roll of the dice for Abramovich and co. to save a ship sailing dangerously close to the shore.
Cech Mate
Lampard will also take some solace in not being the only Chelsea legend returning to the club for the 2019-20 campaign as former teammate Petr Cech will be on board as a Technical and Performance Advisor.
The goalkeeper left Stamford Bridge for Arsenal in 2015 and always maintained his love for the club he called home for 11 seasons.
It is unclear how much of a hands on approach or connection Cech will have with his former teammates Lampard in their new roles but fans will be hoping it will spark memories of their past adventures.
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