Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has defended co-owner Todd Boehly for entering the Blues’ dressing room to give a speech to the players after their 2-1 defeat by Brighton at the weekend. The American was inside the Chelsea camp for a while after the dismal Premier League loss and supposedly dressed down the club’s under-performing stars.
Despite the scepticism of Boehly’s behaviour within the media, interim head coach Lampard insists he has no problem with the joint-owner interacting with the players. The Stamford Bridge icon revealed he loved personal connections with owners during his career and compared criticism of Boehly’s hands-on approach to the derision over Roman Abramovich’s often shadowy ownership.
He said: “I am comfortable with that. For me, there was maybe some criticism of our old owner (Abramovich) for not coming to the games and not being around. That wasn’t always true, to be fair. I know if an owner is very invested in their team and wants to help them improve, it’s their prerogative to have the input that they want.
“I remember moments as a player of owners first coming into dressing rooms. It first happened for me at Chelsea and it had never really happened to me before. I remember being really happy that the owner was coming in – you could touch them, you could high-five them and feel them.
“I don’t think it’s a 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 say after the game. If the owner wants to come in, wants to be positive and wants to speak to the players, then it’s absolutely his part to do that.
“It can be very regular in the modern day. No problem. In fact, it shows passion and that’s the first thing that I like.”
Lampard’s defence of Boehly comes after former striker Gary Lineker sarcastically criticised the 49-year-old’s actions. Quote-tweeting the Guardian’s story in which it is claimed that Boehly slammed the players for an “embarrassing” run of form, Lineker wrote: “I bet that helped.”
The Match of the Day presenter’s comment was accompanied by a confused emoji.
Eleventh-placed Chelsea have lost their last four of their last five matches, including Lampard’s opening three games. Boehly appointed the former midfield icon as the replacement for the sacked Graham Potter.
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
