Frank Lampard has given Chelsea fans the hardest decision to make ahead of Manchester City

Frank Lampard will depart Chelsea when the season is over to make way for Mauricio Pochettino who is close to being appointed the next Chelsea boss. This was supposed to be the job that restored Lampard’s reputation as a manager, instead, it highlighted a deep need for reflection and a careful thought of what to do next when this is all over at the end of the month.

One win in eight which came against Bournemouth and still waiting for his first home win since he replaced Graham Potter wasn't particularly the way he would have envisaged his return to the club- but football always has its twists and turns.

They face Manchester City over the weekend with Pep Guardiola's side one win away from winning their fifth league title in seven years. Chelsea fans all over the world have been incredibly disappointed with the way the last eight games have gone but Frank Lampard still remains the club’s all-time leading scorer and still an all-time hero for a lot of the fan base so it's all for them to turn on him completely.

Had Graham Potter still been in charge of the team, the agitations and frustrations might have been off the roof but the fact that it’s Lampard has made it difficult for fans to boo their hero, and that has given players some breathing space at a time nothing seems to be working for the team.

The remaining three games of the season are against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United which begs the question of how many games they can win to bring an end to what has been a forgettable first season for Todd Boehly and his consortium since they took over from Roman Abramovich.

The nature of the season has left Chelsea fans with little but to count on the arrival of the former Tottenham boss to lift the team next season, normally that would not be entertaining at the club but they have dropped so low it makes sense to give Pochettino a chance despite his links to the Lilywhites.

Injuries have not helped especially those to key players but Pochettino will need all the support he can get to turn things around and manage the club's 32 first-team players and restore confidence and a winning culture at the club.