Frank Lampard Returns: Top Three Gainers and Losers of Second Spell at Chelsea

• Frank Lampard was re-appointed by Chelsea for the second time this week
• The former player and manager will be caretaker boss until the end of the season
• His return brings good news for some players and spells doom for others

Chelsea are taking their time to help avoid repeating their mistake when they hastily appointed Graham Potter to succeed the beloved Thomas Tuchel.

Potter failed where Tuchel succeeded and left the bosses with no choice but to sack him after just seven months in charge despite being handed a five-year contract in September.

Club legend Frank Lampard returned for a second spell as caretaker manager until the end of the season, months after Everton sacked him.

The start of a new managerial era re-arranges the team. Some players get favoured, while others fall out of favour. Sports Brief looks at the top three gainers and losers of Lampard's return.

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Mason Mount - winner

This obviously is the biggest winner of the pack. The academy graduate, likened to Lampard, has previously worked with the manager at Derby County and Chelsea.

The 44-year-old was forced to speak at a press conference when there were accusations of favouritism and that the 24-year-old was his son in his first spell, according to 90min.

He has been out of the starting 11 recently due to an injury and his contract standoff, and could return this weekend against Wolves.

Kepa Arrizabalaga - loser

The Spanish goalkeeper's dip in form coincided with Lampard's first tenure. He lost his place to Wilfred Caballero close to the end of the 2019/20 season and was overlooked for the FA Cup final.

His recent resurgence under Potter came due to style of play preference and Edouard Mendy's injury and loss of form, but he could be back on the bench with Lampard's arrival.

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Edouard Mendy - winner

According to Athletic UK, Chelsea paid £22m to Rennes for the services of the Senegalese goalkeeper and immediately displaced the faltering Kepa to become number one. He helped Chelsea to three trophies under Tuchel.

Potter preferred the Spaniard due to his ability to play from the back, which suits his style of play, but Lampard could immediately reinstall the goalkeeper he signed.

Marc Cucurella - loser

As reported by ESPN, Chelsea paid £63m for Marc Cucurella last summer and he will be playing under his fourth manager in his first season when Lampard takes charge.

The legend's preference for four at the back could mean the former Brighton defender drops to the bench for English full-back Ben Chilwell.

Ben Chilwell - winner

The former Leicester man was one of the club's six signings in the summer of 2020 and was an instant success, scoring on his debut against Crystal Palace. He will surely benefit from the legend's return.

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Joao Felix - loser

While praising Mason Mount in 2020, Lampard claimed not doing unnecessary stepovers and flicks and being efficient stood the English attacker out for him. These are trademarks of Felix's game.

Unless the Portuguese reduces his showboating and becomes effective, he could be set for time on the bench, which would hamper the chances of the club signing him permanently from Atletico Madrid.

Lampard joins an exclusive list

Sports Brief reported that Frank Lampard joined an exclusive list of coaches to have managed the club in two spells, with his return as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

The Special One Jose Mourinho, two-time interim boss Guus Hiddink and 2012 UEFA Champions League winner Roberto Di Matteo are the other three.