Former Ireland international Kenny Cunningham was on Wednesday's OTB AM and lauded Frank Lampard with praise in his role as the new Chelsea manager.
The former defender felt that Lampard has big things in his future and tipped him to take over as manager of the English national team one day.
“He’s going to be a great Chelsea manager. He’s going to be there for the medium to long term. I think he’s going to be an England manager.
“I actually think he’s one of the very few young English managers who could actually potentially go and manage one of the top clubs abroad. I rate him that highly,” Cunningham said.
Chelsea are currently in fourth place in the Premier League and eight points behind leaders Liverpool, but the former Wimbledon man felt Lampard’s side would close that gap.
“He’s got a wonderful squad there available to him and they obviously want to play. They’re getting better and it could be one of the big stories of the season - what’s happening at Chelsea.
“People talk about how far away they are from Liverpool and Manchester City but do you know what? At the end of the season I don’t think that gap is going to be that big,” Cunningham commented.
Frank Lampard, England manager?
Kenny Cunningham has been mightily impressed with how the @ChelseaFC legend has gone about managing the club | #OTBAM
Full chat https://t.co/fhSaiOe3yq pic.twitter.com/cFjCh4UZd2
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 6, 2019
The south-west Londoners have a young and promising squad who have been improving as the season progresses.
While they do not yet look as if they are the full package, they could be a few key signings away from really challenging the top two.
“I think with some key acquisitions next summer if you just give him the money to spend, which I think they will, I think Chelsea can very quickly start closing that gap between themselves, Liverpool and Manchester City.
“Because they have got some of the most outstanding young talent in the county and they’re only going to get better.
“There are some very experienced good pros alongside them, they just need to reinforce some key areas on the pitch,” Cunningham said.
Lampard is only in his second season of being a professional manager having led Derby County to the Championship play-offs in his first season in charge.
While his reign with Chelsea began with a 4-0 loss to Manchester United, they have now won five in a row in the Premier League and are steadily improving.
