Gary Neville has called on the Chelsea board and their supporters to give Frank Lampard time as he bids to develop their academy prospects.
The Blues legend has made a rocky start to life in the dugout at Stamford Bridge, taking just five points from their opening four Premier League fixtures.
That disappointment was compounded by Chelsea dropping points against Sheffield United before the International break, surrendering a 2-0 lead at home to draw 2-2 with the Blades.
With a transfer ban in place, Lampard has put his faith in youth, with Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori all starting in the opening weeks of the season.
With Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi also set to come back in the fold, the Englishman is completely changing the makeup of their squad.
With that in mind, Neville has insisted that Lampard, an ex-teammate, must be given the time to develop the academies finest prospects.
Writing in his latest column for Sky Sports, Neville said: "Like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United, I think the same for Frank Lampard at Chelsea.
"We are seeing Lampard try to change what has been a machine for the last 15 years at Chelsea. They've been a physical machine that's had that experience. You've always looked at Chelsea and thought they know their way around the pitch. They are wise, they are mature.
"You look at this team now and it has less experience. It has less know-how and it has more youth and immaturity about it. With that comes more mistakes and some bad results.
"Lampard is a young manager, but having made the decision to appoint him, it doesn't seem right that they're not going to go with them and back them with what they are trying to do - because he's trying to change the culture at the club.
"If you are trying to do what Lampard's doing, which is bringing through the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and other academy-type players, you are going to have to give him time.
"That's the big question for both Chelsea, and Manchester United. They are going to need strong leadership, they are going to have to withstand some pressure, particularly on social media, and stand firm. They need to say: "We know what's being built here, it's right and we're going to go with it."
.jpg?w=600)
