Frank Lampard has overseen a perfect winning October in charge of Chelsea in the league and it’s no surprise to see him up for the Manager of the Month award. Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer after impressing in his first managerial job at Derby County last season, with club officials hoping the former midfielder would enjoy as much success in the dugout as he had done as a distinguished player for the Blues.
Things have not always been straightforward for the 41-year-old as he arrived back in west London with a transfer embargo in place. But he has successfully turned to some of the academy graduates, with Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham among the youngsters who have taken their chance this season.
After a tricky start, Lampard has got Chelsea going and they’re up to fourth after 10 games, two points adrift of second-place Manchester City, with impressive away victories in October over Southampton (4-1) and Burnley (4-2) fresh in the memory.
The other league win in October was more of a hard-fought affair as the Londoners saw off Newcastle at home 1-0 – and three wins on the spin is a fine achievement.
Lampard should come out on top for the monthly managerial award but still faces some tough competition to pick up what would be his first such prize just three months into his top-flight managerial career.
If he were to win it, the award would sit nicely at home alongside his four Player of the Month gongs he won between 2003 and 2008.
☐ Klopp
☐ Lampard
☐ Potter
☐ Rodgers
☐ SmithWho gets your vote for @BarclaysFooty Manager of the Month?
🗳 https://t.co/GOZ24h3qQg#PLAwards pic.twitter.com/NWDsAUj2NM
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 1, 2019
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who won the award in August and September, is again on the shortlist, with the Reds still clear at the top of the table.
Klopp’s side are the team all the others will have to catch this term but they dropped their first points of the campaign last month when held at Manchester United, so it looks like it’s time for someone else to claim the accolade.
The other managers nominated are Aston Villa chief Dean Smith, Brighton manager Graham Potter and Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers. All have enjoyed good months in charge although Lampard is the only name on the list whose side picked up maximum points in October.
Rodgers’ men were narrowly beaten 2-1 at Liverpool but did see off Burnley and then registered that stunning 9-0 scoreline at Southampton, while Potter’s Brighton and Smith’s Villa both won two and lost one of their three games over the month.
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