Lampard targets FA Cup win on maiden season as Chelsea Manager

Chelsea English Manager Frank Lampard. In the photo, Lampard celebrates as Chelsea beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 on the final day of the Premier League 2019-20 season to make it into the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League. Photo: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Frank Lampard has set his sights on capping an impressive first season as Chelsea manager by leading the Blues to FA Cup glory against Arsenal on Saturday.

Lampard enjoyed four FA Cup final victories as a Chelsea player, but getting his hands on the first trophy of his nascent managerial career would be an even more significant moment for the 42-year-old.

Having led Chelsea into next season's Champions League via a top four finish in the Premier League, Lampard heads to Wembley surfing a wave of positivity.

It is a testament to Lampard's acumen that, in just his second season as a manager, he has Chelsea positioned as an emerging force just 12 months after the club was in turmoil.

When Lampard arrived at Stamford Bridge in June 2019 after one season as boss of second tier Derby, he carried the good wishes of supporters who idolised him during his glittering 13-year spell with the club.

But there were many pundits who doubted whether Lampard was the right man to get Chelsea back on track following the turbulent reign of Maurizio Sarri.

"There were a lot of unknowns when I came in, could we move forward without Eden Hazard? We knew we had lost a massive player," Lampard said.

"We've a real spirit within the group now and it's a real team effort now."

With his hands tied by the transfer embargo, Lampard was compelled to give some of the club's youngsters a chance to prove their worth.

That they responded so tenaciously and with such verve was a tribute to Lampard's influence.

The energy and optimism provided by Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Reece James, Billy Gilmour and Fikayo Tomori gave the entire club a jolt of adrenaline.

"What we've done this season is take the opportunity to bring in the younger players and improve the existing players," Lampard said.

Unable to fix Chelsea's defensive frailties and often frustrated by their lack of cutting edge, Lampard has been busy in the transfer market and more new signings are on the way.

Lampard needs Leipzig striker Timo Werner and Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech to hit the ground running next season.

He has also been linked with Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson, West Ham's Declan Rice and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz as he tries to bridge the 33-point gap to Liverpool.

"The challenge now is to see what more we can do next season," Lampard said.