Chelsea assistant coach Cudicini backs ‘fantastic’ impending Lampard appointment

Chelsea assistant TO the head coach Carlo Cudicini was in Spain this weekend to play with a bunch of Chelsea Legends in the annual Corazón Classic against Real Madrid Legends, but the legend who’s been on everyone’s minds and tongues these days was not there. That legend was in the South of France, taking in the last bit of sunshiny calm before the storm of his impending appointment as head coach at Chelsea. (Or his dramatic return to Derby County — I suppose that option isn’t quite yet off the table, despite the strong narrative.)

After the Legends match, Cudicini was asked to give his opinion on Frank Lampard’s impending appointment, which does affect him personally as well given that he had served as assistant to both Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri. His own future remains very much unknown at this point, so he’s probably watching this situation just as keenly as we are.

“It’s hard to give an opinion until the club have announced a new manager. But I know Frank, I played with Frank. I think that, for the club, it would be fantastic. He has just started his career, but in football you can’t really plan much. Sometimes, a chance comes along and if you have the chance, you have to take it.

“Obviously, for the club, he was such an important player and potentially as a coach he can be too. I think he has all the ability to become a great coach, but he has just started. He had an important season at Derby, so we’ll see what happens.

“Everyone needs time, not just him. Everyone needs time to put his philosophy in the team. In football, time is a crucial thing.”

-Carlo Cudicini; source: Evening Standard

A bit of extra time may indeed be afforded to Lampard (or whoever), given the circumstances at the club, the transfer ban, and the expected youth revolution. It won’t be unlimited, not even a title-winning Mourinho was afforded that, but it does take some of the pressure and risk away, making this indeed the best time for Lampard to jump at this opportunity.

DOOOO EEEET.