Frank Lampard steered Chelsea to a fourth-place Premier League finish to secure Champions League qualification, while the Blues also reached the FA Cup final albeit losing the Wembley showpiece to Arsenal.
Chairman Bruce Buck hailed the Chelsea boss for sealing Champions League qualification, in a campaign where the Blues battled a transfer ban and blooded a host of young talents.
“In the round we think it was a very successful season,” Buck said.
”I think obviously we would have been a little bit happier if we had won the FA Cup. But I’m sure the manager and the players were gutted not to lift the trophy.”
The seal of approval from the Chelsea board – and by extension owner Roman Abramovich – will buoy the former Chelsea midfielder Lampard as he continues to plot his reshaping of the Blues playing squad.
Lampard has already hailed the addition of former Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech as technical advisor as key to his harmonious relationship with the Stamford Bridge board.
Cech and director Marina Granovskaia work closely with Lampard on Chelsea’s transfer strategy, and that has generated new-found synergy between the board and the footballing department.
Previous managers Maurizio Sarri and Antonio Conte had railed against the Chelsea board’s transfer strategy, but Lampard – with Cech’s help – has developed a far smoother process.
The Blues are fully intent on adding a clutch of further new recruits before next season, with the new Premier League campaign likely to start on September 12.
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But Lampard can be boosted by the board’s support, with Buck well aware of the 42-year-old Lampard’s clout.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
