Lampard’s no-nonsense approach is an attempt to bring glory days back to Stamford Bridge

Frank Lampard‘s career was record-breaking and by the end of it his CV was glittering. When it comes to knowing what it takes to reach the top, he is as well-placed as anyone.

It requires plenty of talent, which Lampard possessed, but no shortage of hard work and discipline too.

That ensured he was able to wring every last drop out of the abilities he was blessed with. And that has underpinned his approach to management as well, which is certainly no bad thing.

‘He is trying to get that mentality back,’ as one source puts it. 

Frank Lampard was a hard-working player and he expects the same effort as a manager

He was able to wring every last drop out of the ability he was blessed with as a Chelsea player

Lampard’s methods were briefly in the spotlight last month following suggestions from Italy that left back Emerson Palmieri is unhappy with his strict, controlling style and views the Chelsea manager as a ‘sergeant.’

Twenty four hours later Palmieri went public to quickly dismiss the claims as ‘fake news’. It is just as well. It would not have gone down well if they were his genuine views.

One thing that has shone through from Lampard’s fledgling reign as Chelsea manager is that stepping out of line or failing to maintain standards in training comes with consequences.

One of the first big decisions Lampard had to make was to sanction the sale of his former team-mate and experienced defender David Luiz in an early show of authority.

Emerson Palmieri quickly dismissed reports that he doesn’t like Lampard’s disciplinarian ways

One of the first big decisions Lampard made was to sell ex-team-mate David Luiz to Arsenal

When Chelsea’s fine list emerged, Lampard’s emphasis on discipline was there to see in the size of the eye-watering punishments for anyone who dared to break the rules, including £20,000 for being late for the start of training.

Typically, Lampard dealt with the issue with a sprinkling of humour but there was also a sternness and seriousness when he spoke about the issue.

‘It’s not harsh if you’re not late. It’s nothing,’ he said. Fair point.

Ross Barkley has tested Lampard’s patience more than once with questionable off-field antics this season in a taxi and a Dubai nightclub.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and young defender Fikayo Tomori have been among those to pay the price for dips in form by losing their places in his team.

Lampard has chopped and changed goalkeepers, not scared to put Kepa (left) on the bench

Lampard is also not afraid to slam his players in the media if he feels they deserve it

Meanwhile he was not best pleased with midfielder Mason Mount breaking what was supposed to be a period of self-isolation for Chelsea’s players following Callum Hudson-Odoi’s coronavirus diagnosis.

How Lampard dealt with Barkley and £72m club-record-signing Kepa’s differing situations was particularly notable.

There was no public, overprotection of his players from Lampard, the approach many managers may have opted for in the circumstances.

Barkley was guilty of ‘a lack of professionalism’ – so that’s what Lampard called it.

Kepa was under pressure and his form wobbling so Lampard said that scrutiny is what comes with being at a big club and he has to learn to deal with it, before eventually dropping him.

No mollycoddling but also not too much fuss because he dealt with both situations head on, firmly and so clearly.

The Chelsea boss (left) expects full professionalism from his players at Stamford Bridge

Lampard enjoyed much success as a player and wants to now bring success back as manager

If a player is not delivering or meeting the required standards Lampard is more than happy to say it publicly, though without going too far and crossing the line with his comments.

Player-power has ruled at Chelsea too often but Lampard is in a small group of managers who could walk into Stamford Bridge and instantly command everyone’s respect.

His legendary standing at the club as Chelsea’s 211-goal all-time top scorer ensured that.

Lampard earned that status during 13 brilliant years in Chelsea’s midfield, during which both he and Chelsea became part of European football’s elite.

Sources close to the club and him say those glory days are simply what he wants to bring back and that ambition is the reason behind his approach.

Billy Gilmour has impressed Lampard by showing the same application as he did as a player

Mentality is so important for the former England midfielder as he continues his football journey

When he was a player Lampard was as renowned for his relentless attitude to training as his actual qualities.

Tales of him staying behind after sessions to do extra work, whether that be for parts of his game or fitness, were well-documented.

Blues prodigy Billy Gilmour possesses that same application, one of many reasons Lampard is such a big fan of the Scottish midfielder, Chelsea’s standout performer before the season ground to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

During his Chelsea career Lampard also saw the collective approach that was required to reach the top.

‘He is thinking we were the best because we worked hard, ran more, trained better and at a better intensity,’ one source said.

‘He is trying to get that mentality back. To get to the levels of Manchester City, Liverpool, you have to be able to run and work really hard.’

It might sound simple but it is certainly effective and the rewards are potentially huge. Just look at Lampard’s lengthy honours list for the evidence.