Frank Lampard is under frowing pressure at Chelsea, with the club now looking at potential replacements for the Stamford Bridge legend should he be unable to arrest their slump.
The former Blues player had his team start the season brightly, but they have lost to Everton, Arsenal, and Wolves in recent weeks to drop out of the top six and into eighth.
Next up is Aston Villa, and if the Londoners don't manage to get three points against Dean Smith's side then there could be further pressure on Lampard.
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According to German publication Bild, the Chelsea hierarchy are already thinking about potential replacements for Lampard.
Thomas Tuchel has only just left PSG after an underperforming start to the season that sees the usually dominant Parisians in third place in Ligue 1.
However, it is thought that the former Borussia Dortmund boss is keen to get straight back into a management position, and that Chelsea would be interested in him if they were to part ways with Lampard.
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Lampard appears to be feeling the pressure at Stamford Bridge, criticising his players' attitudes in the recent defeat to Mikel Arteta's struggling Arsenal.
"You learn more about your players when they are on a bad run," he said. "I learn about the players and the players have to learn about themselves.
"Some of them are young and these tough times are things that we will have to go through. I don't think this season was ever going to be plain sailing, winning every week.
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"But the players lacked character against Arsenal and they know that."
After earlier being tipped for a title challenge, the Blues find themselves seven points off leaders Liverpool and two points from the top four ahead of their game with Aston Villa on Monday.
Topics: Frank Lampard, Football News, Chelsea, Football, Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea FC
