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Frank Lampard looked more than a little uncomfortable as he sat alongside Chelsea owner Todd Boehly for the Blues’ Premier League clash against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea legend’s most recent spell at the helm of the club came during a woeful end to last season as the west London outfit fell to a 12th place finish.
Following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, Lampard had been installed by the club to see out the final months of the campaign but their attempts to reignite performances during the first full season under the Boehly-Clearlake ownership failed spectacularly.
The former Everton boss was replaced by Mauricio Pochettino for this season, though the Blues have continued their unimpressive displays on the pitch and find themselves in 10th ahead of the clash against their London rivals.
Fulham on the other hand are in the midst of another solid campaign in the top-flight and they were cheered on by an unlikely former player who showed up to the occasion in the away end.
Frank Lampard (left) looks a little uneasy as he takes his place alongside Chelsea owner Todd Boehly (middle)
Fulham’s away support for the Premier League clash included one of their former players
Eagle-eyed fans would be able to make out the figure of former Netherland international Ryan Babel, who made 16 league appearances for the side during the 2018/19 campaign.
The 37-year-old, who last played for Turkish second-flight outfit Eyupspor, netted five goals and provided four assists during his short stay in west London.
Babel watched on as Marco Silva’s men played their part in a competitive first half before Cole Palmer’s penalty gave the home side the advantage going into the break.
Ryan Babel enjoyed a successful six-month loan spell at Fulham during the 2018/19 season
Both teams will jet off for their winter breaks after the clash before returning at the end of the month for the semi-final second legs of the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea have a one-goal deficit to overcome against Middlesbrough, while Fulham face a similar sized hurdle, though their task is made harder with the visit of Liverpool.
