Frank Lampard told he ‘must learn quickly’ amid sack rumours by ex-Chelsea teammate, who reveals players ‘drove’ Blues during Avram Grant’s spell as manager

Steve Sidwell issued a warning to Frank Lampard as the Chelsea boss comes under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard is in his second season as manager of the club where he spent the majority of his playing career.

The first campaign was reasonably successful as he achieved a top four finish despite a transfer ban hampering his efforts.

Young players took their chance and there was real optimism about the direction the Blues were heading in.

Lampard was then backed in the summer transfer market with over £200million being spent on some of the best talent from around Europe.

Some signings have struggled to settle, though, with Timo Werner out of form in front of goal, Hakim Ziyech spending some lengthy spells out injured, and Kai Havertz still suffering long-term effects of coronavirus.

Their recent form has been a cause for concern with just four points picked up in their last six games, and the Blues are sliding in the wrong direction down the table.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is famously impatient and Lampard’s status as a club legend is no guarantee he will be afforded more time than his managerial predecessors.

Former Blues midfielder Sidwell believes his old teammate needs to learn quickly if he is to survive in the dugout.

He told Tuesday’s talkSPORT Breakfast: “Before a ball was even kicked, a lot of money was spent in the summer getting players in.

“He did ever so well getting top four last year, and top four will be a definite minimum requirement this season, but this season is a very odd and inconsistent one.

“Look at last night with Southampton vs Liverpool… Man City have had a slump in form, and so have other clubs.

“This is a rocky road at the moment for Frank, but he’s got a group of players who we’ve seen the levels they can produce and they need to get back to it.

“He’s learning on the job as a manager, so experience-wise he hasn’t got what a Klopp, a Guardiola, or even a Ralph Hassenhuttl has got.

“He’s got to learn quickly, but saying that he’s got a group of players that can do it. They just need to compete as that’s what’s been missing in the recent games.”

Sidwell witnessed first hand the transition of power from one manager to another at Chelsea, and he was at the club when Jose Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant.

He explained what went on behind the scenes and revealed how influential John Terry was during this period.

“I go back to when I was at Chelsea and Jose Mourinho left and Avram Grant took over,” added Sidwell.

“I remember when the players called a meeting. JT called all the players in and said, ‘look, I’ve been with Roman and he’s said that Avram would be taking charge’.

“The lads were pretty shocked as Avram was there as a kind of technical director and go-between between Jose and Abramovich.

“I remember John Terry and the lads saying, ‘right, we need to drive this ourselves as Avram hasn’t got the experience of the top echelons of football in terms of the Premier League. We have, and we’ll drive this’.

“I’m not saying they went against his wishes or anything. He still led the football club and the football team, but the players really drove that dressing room.”