The top four predictions from pundits at the start of the season have emerged again and they show how Frank Lampard has overachieved in his first season managing in the top flight.
For starters, his own cousin Jamie Redknapp completely dismissed the notion that Lampard should be expected to finish in top four and win a trophy - though that exact achievement could now happen.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp said: "If you think Frank Lampard should finish in the top four and win a cup, I'm sorry you're deluded."
Switching gears to the BBC and a mere three pundits out of a total of 21 backed Lampard to secure Champions League trophy in his first season in the Stamford Bridge hotseat.
A reminder of how much Lampard has overachieved this season...
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) July 26, 2020
A list of BBC pundits’ top 4 predictions at the start of the season.
Out of 21 pundits, only 3 predicted Chelsea would make the top four. 13 predicted Arsenal would. 18 predicted Spurs would. pic.twitter.com/bR80592h9P
The trio were Matt Upson, Ruud Gullit and Mark Schwarzer - the latter two of course playing for the club - and it was a very popular opinion that Chelsea would struggle.
But despite nobody fancying Lampard and his Blues side, they finished on 66 points and only lost out to third-place Manchester United via goal difference after 38 games.
What's more, the West London outfit could well finish the campaign with yet another FA Cup to add to the collection should they overcome Arsenal in Saturday's final at Wembley.
And of course we cannot overlook the fact that Lampard had no money to spend in the summer due to a transfer ban, and the club's best player, Eden Hazard, moved to Real Madrid.
You could Christian Pulisic as a new arrival given the deal with Borussia Dortmund was already agreed, while academy products Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Reece James all played important roles after returning from loans in the Championship.
Chelsea have officially finished in the Champions League places once again, except this time we had...
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) July 26, 2020
• A transfer ban. £0 spent in 12 months
• No Eden Hazard. A total of over £150m in sales
• A reliance on youth. 8 academy debuts this season (record)
Frank. Lampard. pic.twitter.com/MqaLKqEclU
Chelsea's record goalscorer Lampard has done extremely well with limited resources and it will be interesting to see how he can improve the side next term with the exciting additions of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner from Ajax and RB Leipzig respectively.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-pundits-top-four-predictions-show-how-frank-lampard-has-overachieved-20200731
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