Frank Lampard’s coy two-word reaction to Thiago Silva’s transfer strategy criticism of Chelsea’s owners

Frank Lampard has reacted to Thiago Silva’s comments which criticised Chelsea’s owners as a result of the club’s current state and Premier League position.

Once Chelsea play the final game on May 28 of their 2022/23 campaign against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge, it will – finally – bring an end to a dismal first season for the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership.

A season which has seen a spend of more than £600 million on transfers, two manager sackings, a new sporting department, as well as a current league position of 11th and no silverware, the owners’ debut year in Eng;and will not be remembered fondly.

Chelsea’s on-the-pitch results have suffered, in line with events off the pitch, which saw Graham Potter, and now interim Frank Lampard, deal with a bloated squad in excess of 30 after busy summer and January transfer windows.

After Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League last Wednesday, 38-year-old defender Thiago Silva followed Didier Drogba’s ‘I no longer recognise my club’ comments by launching criticism at Boehly, Eghbali and Co.

“I think the first step has been made, an incorrect step, but it has been made,” Silva told beINSPORTS. “We can’t be blaming the managers if we don’t take responsibility. It’s a hard period for the club, with a lot of indecision.

“Change of ownership, new players arriving – we had to increase the size of the changing room because it didn’t fit the size of the squad.

“A positive point is that there are amazing players in the squad but on the other hand there are always players that are going to be unhappy. There is always going to be someone upset because not everyone can play. The manager can only pick 11 from a squad of 30-something – that’s tough.

“Some can’t make the squad, we signed eight in January, we need to stop and put a strategy in place otherwise next season we could make the same mistakes.”

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be appointed as Chelsea’s new head coach from the 2023/24 season onwards and he will be handed the task of choosing who he does and doesn’t want in his squad ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

Caretaker boss Lampard was quizzed on Silva’s comments about the ownership and refused to get involved when they were put to him prior to their Premier League match against Brentford on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.

“(They are) Thiago’s statements,” concluded Lampard.