Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has praised his ex-teammate Frank Lampard saying that he has given the whole club a lift since taking over the managerial reigns at the start of the season.
Cole played alongside Lampard at Stamford Bridge for seven years as the pair won a handful of trophies together, including three Premier Leagues, three FA Cups and two League Cups. Lampard rejoined the club in a managerial capacity in the summer but was a given a tough task of remaining competitive despite a transfer ban and their star man Eden Hazard leaving for Real Madrid but Lampard has impressed with Chelsea leading them into the top four and the team have made it through a tough group in the Champions League to reach the last 16.
Cole feels he has enjoyed a flawless start to life in the dugout and praised the early impact he has had at Chelsea.
‘He has galvanized the club,’ he said, speaking as a pundit on BT Sport after Chelsea beat Lille 2-1 to seal their spot in the Champions League knockouts.
‘He hasn’t put a foot wrong since he started in management. People forget that Derby wasn’t an easy job.
Allowing David Luiz to move on was a massive decision knowing he had [Fikayo] Tomori. He has been brilliant and you can only give him praise.’
The Blues booked their place in the last-16 with a nervy 2-1 win over Lille, courtesy of two first-half goals from Tammy Abraham and Cesar Azpilicueta. Lampard most likely will have a tough tie in the last 16 of the Champions League after finishing second in the group behind surprise group winners Valencia.
