Chelsea face a tonking in Super Cup vs Liverpool unless Lampard can rapidly address a meek defence exposed by Man Utd

HE promised to be frank and fearless.

Chelsea’s new manager, watching his players collapse at Old Trafford, is entitled to be furious.

This, a chastening 4-0 defeat in Frank Lampard’s first game in charge of his beloved club, was weak, meek and unacceptable.

They were worked over by Manchester United, spat out by the pace, desire and ruthless finishing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

There was nothing for Lampard to get worked up about.

He is used to coming here as a player to scrap it out for points, to assert authority and to dominate the big games.

Chelsea never came close in this one. The standards at this club are high.

Lampard is used to playing with the very best players in their position when he pulled on that blue shirt.

SLIPPING STANDARDS

Is Kurt Zouma, on loan at Everton last season and Stoke City the season before, ever going to be a colossus like John Terry? No.

Can Mateo Kovacic or Jorginho ever be converted into central midfielder to rival Lampard or Michael Ballack? No.

Will Tammy Abraham ever be as influential as Didier Drogba up front? No.

Those are the standards, the benchmark for the identikit, modern-day Chelsea footballer. Lampard demands that.

The options are limited, especially because Chelsea’s manager has placed so much faith in young players.

Usually a manager would have a week to sort things out, but the next big game is on Wednesday in Istanbul.

It is there they play European champions Liverpool when they compete for the Super Cup.

The stakes at this level are high and Lampard will need to sort out this defence.

Either that, or they face another tonking.