Lampard defends Boehly as troubled Chelsea face new low

LONDON: Frank Lampard insists Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has "good intentions" amid mounting criticism of the American's troubled reign at Stamford Bridge.

Boehly has spent over £550 million (US$695 million) on new signings in the 12 months since buying Chelsea from Roman Abramovich last year.

But Chelsea are enduring their worst season for decades despite that record-breaking investment.

Lampard's side head to Bournemouth on Saturday on a woeful run of six consecutive defeats since he replaced the sacked Graham Potter.

Potter was only hired in September to replace Thomas Tuchel after the German's shock dismissal, with Chelsea reeling one from crisis to another since then.

Another defeat at Bournemouth will leave 12th-placed Chelsea on course to record their lowest Premier League finish in 29 years.

The Blues already face a first season without European competition since 2016-17, only the second time in 26 years they will have missed out on continental action.

Chelsea fans have been seen shouting abuse at Boehly during matches, while Abramovich's name was chanted by Blues supporters during the midweek defeat at Arsenal.

Boehly was also criticised for going into the dressing room after Chelsea's loss to Brighton to deliver a speech to the players that reportedly included calling their season "embarrassing".

Despite the toxic atmosphere around the club, Lampard, in his second spell as Chelsea boss, is adamant Boehly and fellow owner Behdad Eghbali can prove effective in the long term.

"It's a good thing to speak so positively," he said of Boehly's recent claim that he is sure he will get Chelsea back on track.

"It's what I've found since I've been here, good intentions on where the club is going to be taken.

"It's up to the owners of