First pictures as Frank Lampard takes charge of first training session since Chelsea return

Frank Lampard took charge of his first Chelsea training session on Thursday afternoon since taking the caretaker job at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old oversaw his first session at Chelsea‘s Cobham training base ahead of their Premier League clash against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday afternoon.

Lampard’s return on an interim basis until the end of the season was confirmed on Thursday, which saw also speak in his first press conference shortly after his announcement.

“It’s a pretty easy decision to make,” Lampard said on his return to Chelsea. “This is my club. In terms of my playing career and having coached here before. I have a lot of emotions and feelings towards the club. I’m also a very practical person.

“When you become a manager, you understand that you don’t manage the club you say is yours forever. I’ve been on a different path since I left Chelsea but to come back at time where the club have asked me to come and take the role, that’s the most important thing, but also with the belief that I can come and help the cause in this period until the end of the season.

“I’m delighted to get the opportunity and I want to be thankful for that, for the people that have decided to give me an opportunity. I’m confident in myself, have a good understanding of the squad, of course I’ve worked with a lot of them before, but also the training ground, the stadium, the fans, what Chelsea fans want and I’ll do my utmost in this period to give them what they want with my own hard work.”

None of Lampard’s staff were spotted at Cobham amid links to Ashley Cole, Chris Jones, Joe Edwards and Paul Clement being part of his caretaker backroom team.

The interim Chelsea boss refused to confirm who was part of his team for Saturday’s game during his press conference, responding: “I can’t at this point.”

Lampard is ready to lift the confidence and belief of the squad, who currently sit in 11th place in the Premier League and have a Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid later this month.

He took charge of his first session on Thursday afternoon after addressing his squad, who appeared to be in high spirits.

Lampard refused to name his team but confirmed he has put heavy thought into his shape and selection already

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot this morning, speaking to people who are going to be helping me to do this job so I have my idea about where I want to go.

“I watched the team (versus Liverpool), so credit to Bruno who took the team, credit to Graham Potter who I don’t know that well but everything I see about him, he’s a good man and a very good coach and sometimes for whatever reason things don’t align, don’t work, whatever, I’ve been in that situation personally.

“There’s nothing that I will do that will look backwards other than with a view to how we move forward. I obviously have my own ideas.”

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