Frank Lampard admits Chelsea "aren't a top eight side", tells fans to accept it

Frank Lampard has told Chelsea fans to accept that they are not a "top eight" side anymore after a dire run of form.

Lampard has lost all six of his games in charge since taking on the job on an interim basis following the sacking of Graham Potter.

The latest was a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal, with Chelsea now languishing in 12th position in the Premier League and level on points with Bournemouth, their opponents this weekend at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are just nine points off the relegation zone and would be 18th in the league if the league started in October.

Chelsea have lost 14 games in the league and scored just 31 goals. You really wonder where they would be if Thomas Tuchel hadn't at least picked up some points at the beginning of the season before getting the boot.

They've had four different managers take charge and Lampard admits that despite the nearly £600 million spent under owner Todd Boehly, they are not a top eight team at present.

Image: Alamy

"We at Chelsea have been fortunate for 20 years. When the spotlight is on you, it's on you," he said in his press conference.

"You have to understand and handle that. Even as a fanbase, you can be frustrated and want more but you can also be understanding of the last 20 years at Chelsea.

"It's not one for me to sit on and feel hurt by too much. More what's the action to get us out. The action this season won't get us in the Champions League or top eight. Not all fans want to hear that but it's a reality I've come back into."

Image: Alamy

Chelsea's record goalscorer has a further five games at the helm and has called for his players, of which there are more than 30, to play for pride in the remaining fixtures.

"Everyone from the outside wants to say there's not much on it but myself and the players have to show an immense amount of pride," he added.

"Will we need a reboot in the summer? Sure."

After the visit of Bournemouth, Chelsea host Nottingham Forest before closing out the season with a tricky trio of games against Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United.