Paul Scholes ‘surprised’ by Frank Lampard return to Chelsea but Joe Cole says ‘it makes perfect sense’

Lampard managed Chelsea for 18 months from July 2019 to January 2021 and has been out of the job since being sacked from Everton in January this year.

He replaces Graham Potter while Chelsea undertake an “exhaustive process” to find a permanent manager ahead of next season.

“I was a bit surprised [by Lampard’s return], especially with the way it ended at Chelsea,” Scholes told BT Sport. “His Everton time didn’t go great but you can’t blame Frank, he’s got to take this opportunity.

“There was quite a similar situation with Ole Gunner [Solksjaer]. Ole had a lot more time though to prove himself. By the end of the season, they had to give it him whereas now there’s only 10 league games and the Champions League to go, but I think Frank is capable of doing it.

“One thing that’s good for Frank is they have got N’Golo Kante back. He’s only played two games but makes a huge difference to the team. If they can get goals, Chelsea have got a chance.”

Chelsea travel to Wolves on Saturday before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.

Cole is optimistic about the decision and believes Lampard is the right person to be in the Chelsea job for the final part of the season.

“It makes perfect sense for me,” he explained. “First of all I’m disappointed for Graham Potter, he held himself in great dignity throughout his time at Chelsea – a very, very difficult job he had.

“I always err on the side of giving managers time but once the decision was made to let him go, it made perfect sense for Frank. I’m absolutely delighted for him, he’s going to really galvanise the club.”

“Chelsea have been in this decision many times. The club know how to deal with a change of manager. It happened when Frank left his job the first time and Thomas Tuchel came in and won the Champions League.

“For Frank, that would be the dream and he would love to take the job permanently. No one’s better positioned to take that club forward.”

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman added: “He gave a lot of positivity at Everton and worked very diligently.

“It didn’t work out but with a different set of plays I think we will see more of his ideas come to fruition.”