Roy Keane insists Frank Lampard ‘isn’t going to get much time’ if Chelsea continue to stutter

Roy Keane has warned Frank Lampard that he is ‘not going to get much time’ if Chelsea‘s struggles continue. 

Chelsea have won just one of their last five Premier League games going into Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated clash at home to Manchester City.  

Manchester United legend Keane stressed that Lampard is under ‘huge pressure’ and has to improve Chelsea’s fortunes quickly if he is to remain in charge. 

Roy Keane has warned Frank Lampard he will not get much time if Chelsea's struggles persist

Keane claimed that Lampard got a 'free pass' last season because of Chelsea's transfer ban

Roy Keane (left) warned Frank Lampard (right) he will not get much time if Chelsea’s struggles persist

Keane suggested Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (centre) will become impatient if Lampard cannot turn the club's fortunes around

Keane suggested Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (centre) will become impatient if Lampard cannot turn the club’s fortunes around

Keane added that the transfer ban imposed on Chelsea ahead of last season meant that Lampard was given a ‘free pass’ in his first campaign as the club’s manager.  

Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane said: ‘Frank always comes across well. I didn’t realise the world patience existed at Chelsea, particularly for managers. 

‘I don’t think Frank’s going to get much time. There’s huge pressure this year, you have to give players time to settle coming from foreign countries. 

‘If they win today they go back to top four. Last year he had a free pass, but they’ve spent money and it brings added pressures, no matter who the manager is. Every team has injury problems, he’s got to get ready. When you start questioning work rate and desire, no matter how good a team you are, you’re going to slip up.

‘He’s new to it. He’s 42 years of age. Klopp came from Dortmund and won big prizes over there. He’s up against all these managers – Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola. These guys have got CVs behind them. He won’t get the time Klopp got.’

Timo Werner has struggled since joining Chelsea - he has scored just four goals in the league

Kai Havertz has also found matters difficult at Chelsea and has often been underwhelming

Timo Werner (left) and Kai Havertz (right) have both struggled since they arrived at Chelsea 

Lampard recently stated that Chelsea need to show resilience in order to get through a difficult period.

He told Sky Sports:  ‘If you think you’re going to go an be consistent this year just because you brought in new players who need to settle, and we still have the young players, playing against tough teams in the Premier League every week then you aren’t living in the real world.’ 

CHELSEA’S LAST FIVE RESULTS 

December 12 – Everton (away) – lost 1-0

December 15 – Wolves (away) – lost 2-1

December 21 – West Ham (home) – won 3-0

December 26 – Arsenal (away) – lost 3-1

December 28 – Aston Villa (home) – drew 1-1 

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‘The real world has kicked us up the backside in the last two or three weeks over a busy period and we have to show we are stronger than that and come through it.’ 

Chelsea recruited extensively in the summer transfer window, bringing in players such as Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Kai Havertz and Edouard Mendy. 

While some of those, such as Chilwell, have impressed, others have struggled to make an impact so far, with the likes of Werner and Havertz having been rather underwhelming.

Chelsea won four out of five games between late October and early December, but their form has dipped significantly since then. 

The Blues lost to both Everton and Wolves. They responded with a victory against West Ham but were subsequently beaten 3-1 by Arsenal and then drew with Aston Villa. 

Chelsea finished in fourth place in Lampard’s first season in charge and go into the game against City in sixth position.  

Keane claims that Lampard was given a 'free pass' last season due to Chelsea's transfer ban

Keane claims that Lampard was given a ‘free pass’ last season due to Chelsea’s transfer ban

Lampard guided Chelsea through to the last-16 of the Champions League, where they will take on Atletico Madrid, but they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the fourth round stage. 

Although his contract at Chelsea is set to run until the summer of 2022, Lampard is under much scrutiny at present, and he will be desperate for his side to return to winning ways against City. 

Earlier in the campaign Chelsea played some dynamic, free-flowing football, but they have been devoid of ideas at times in some of their recent games. 

If Chelsea fail to finish in the top four this season then it could prove costly for Lampard, but his side still have time to turn matters around. 

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