DANNY MURPHY BOARD REPORT CARD – Frank Lampard Outperforms

One of the most fascinating aspects of this season is how the Big Six are divided by the managers they have chosen.

Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho are titans who have won the Premier League, the Champions League and the major leagues in Europe. In contrast, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Mikael Arteta and Frank Lampard have an FA Cup and a pair of Norwegian league titles between them.

You can understand why top clubs are often looking for experienced coaches because they understand the pressures of expectations and the issues that come with handling big-name internationals.

But it is refreshing to see Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal think outside the box and choose leaders who used to play for the club and know their DNA rather than owning a shiny trophy cabinet.

In any case, there is no exact science to success and all newbies have enjoyed great times, as well as some ups and downs.

It should not be forgotten that Arteta and Lampard ended their first campaigns meeting in the FA Cup final, while Solskjaer, who started his coaching career with the United youth, has beaten Paris St Germain twice.

I suspect the trick to succeeding as an inexperienced manager is to stick to your beliefs and not overthink things when facing a legend like Guardiola. However, it cannot be easy because you are competing against the best in the world.

This is a great day for everyone. Lampard faces his former boss Mourinho with Chelsea on top and, of the three, he looks in the best shape. Arteta and Solskjaer need results against Wolves and Southampton to escape the center of the table.

That’s not good enough for the clubs they represent and Solskjaer, in particular, faces some big weeks to secure his spot.

FRANK LAMPARD (CHELSEA)

STRENGTHS

Frank understands the mentality of the best players for what he accomplished in the game and won at Stamford Bridge. His man-management skills are excellent and noises of discontent are rarely heard from inside Chelsea camp, even from those stars frustrated at not playing.

Without the team believing in your philosophy, you have no chance, no matter how talented they are. I can tell from watching Chelsea that everyone is on board with Lampard and enjoying what they are doing, they are not always big easy egos fighting for spots on the team.

Frank has also shown that he is capable of making tough decisions. When he decided that £ 73 million goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was costing the team, the club backed him to sign Edouard Mendy. For me, it was a crucial moment to show that the hierarchy trusts the manager.

BIG CHALLENGES

Despite Lampard’s abilities to handle players, keeping everyone happy will remain difficult in the long run when everyone is fit. You can’t squeeze Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner, Olivier Giroud, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the same team. Lampard will need to have some honest conversations with his players to keep them feeling a part of it.

Having options is good in a way, but it can’t be distracting from finding the right team balance. So far Lampard has handled it very well, but perhaps a few weeks it has helped that Ziyech, Pulisic or Havertz are not available.

REALISTIC GOALS

I think Frank will see this as a wonderful opportunity to win the league. I wouldn’t have predicted that a few weeks ago, but with Liverpool and Manchester City injury woes with a little hangover from their Champions League disappointment, it’s really on the line.

Chelsea has some stunning people, but she also has a very strong core. Thiago Silva’s leadership has been a wonderful addition on defense, while someone like Mason Mount does so much work in midfield, he can allow Frank to play with just one starter and as a result carry a greater attacking threat.

REPORT CARD: GRADE A-

Chelsea has great people working as a team. They look in great shape.

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER (MAN UTD)

STRENGTHS

There is a sympathy in Solskjaer. He behaves well and understands the club he represents. It is not more important than the results, but it is still important for a club like Manchester United to have someone who takes proper care of the shield.

Some of the results have shown tactical awareness. It is no coincidence that he won against PSG, Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs. It takes smart planning. It’s just that United lacks consistency.

The problem for Solskjaer is that a roller coaster ride isn’t good enough for United in the long run. Fans and owners will demand to fight for the biggest trophies. It can’t be done without knowing which United will appear.

BIG CHALLENGES

I think the next six weeks are crucial for Solskjaer because I fear for him if things don’t go well before the New Year.

His first big decision is who to trust as his first-choice center forward for this critical period – the transfer window will be too late for him if United go down now. I’d be tempted to give Edinson Cavani a chance, but Solskjaer also has alternatives with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. It’s too big of a responsibility for someone like Mason Greenwood right now, even if it’s fully loaded.

The problem for United is that there are more questions than answers everywhere you look. I am puzzled by the lack of playing time given to Donny van de Beek. Is Paul Pogba ready to be the savior or cannot he be trusted during this intense period? I have suggested before that United are too fragile on defense if they play in the same midfield as Bruno Fernandes.

REALISTIC OBJECTIVES

A club the size of United has to aim high. Anything less than the semi-finals of the Champions League is not a success. Likewise, in the Premier League, finishing outside the top four is unthinkable. Those are the minimum requirements for a club like United.

I know they have been without a trophy for three years, but realistically, I don’t think lifting the FA Cup or the League Cup in isolation means much to Solskjaer whether the team finishes fifth or sixth. We saw it with Louis van Gaal.

REPORT CARD: GRADE C

You’ve done enough to stay on the job so far, but any fall from here will be dangerous. I hope it does.

MIKEL ARTETA (ARSENAL)

STRENGTHS

I’m sure Arteta would love for Arsenal to play like the Manchester City created by his mentor Pep Guardiola, but he has had the intelligence and knowledge to identify that the first priority was solving the team’s defensive problems.

When Arsenal play, there is a clear game plan that has been worked on in training, and that has taken away the strength of character from the manager because he entered a club 12 months ago that was really fighting for identity.

Winning a trophy can no longer be underestimated, which is why you have bank credit even though Arsenal hit a recent wobble and goals were recently sold out. Even Guardiola and Klopp had to back down to establish their dynasties.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE

Arteta brought in full-backs to bolster Arsenal and it worked well to win the FA Cup last season. They are still much tougher to beat as they proved last weekend by getting a close draw at Leeds last weekend despite Pepe’s red card.

The dilemma Arteta faces is that he always seems tempted to go back to a back-four when he wants one more forward-thinking player on the field. He tried against Aston Villa and Leeds, but Arsenal were poor in both games.

Adaptability is fine up to a point, but I think the most successful teams are those that stick to their best system and don’t cut and change. The Liverpool and City teams that won the league did so and it became second nature to their players.

I think Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s little scoring drought has affected Arteta’s thinking. Aubameyang switched from left to center forward at Elland Road, but did not change his luck. I think consistent team formations build stability and momentum.

REALISTIC TARGET

Arsenal should still think about their chances of finishing in the top four and also see the Europa League as a trophy they can win. Having lifted the FA Cup, silverware would start to become a habit.

I don’t think Arteta is under pressure like Solskjaer. Recruitment looks solid with Gabriel and Thomas Partey, both great long-term acquisitions.

REPORT CARD: GRADE B +

Real signs of progress and a trophy in the first year. This is a minor issue, don’t panic Gooners fans!