Frank Lampard could be sacked if Chelsea lose to Leicester

Frank Lampard may leave Chelsea if the Blues lose to Leicester on Tuesday night, although opposite number Brendan Rodgers is unlikely to be targeted as his replacement.

Despite spending in excess of £200m in the summer, Lampard's side have endured an inconsistent season so far. With 18 Premier League games played, Chelsea have only won eight and currently sit in seventh place, eight points behind leaders Manchester United.

Their recent form has been particularly worrying. Prior to squeezing past 10-man Fulham in their last fixture, Chelsea had won just once in their previous six Premier League games. Blues owner Roman Abramovich has not been known for his patience in the past, and according to The Athletic's Simon Johnson, defeat at the hands of Leicester could mark the end of Lampard's tenure.

Speaking on talkSPORT's Sports Bar, Johnson said: "There already are [question marks over his future]." Soon after, when asked whether he could get the sack after the Leicester game, he said: "Yes."

In contrast to their opponents on Tuesday, the Foxes have been in fine form of late. They have only lost once in their last eight Premier League games and will go above second-placed Manchester City if they avoid defeat against the Blues.

Rodgers has been given significant credit for Leicester's revival in the last two seasons, but Johnson does not think that he is likely to get the Chelsea job if Lampard is sacked.

"He’s definitely valued as a coach, and who wouldn’t value him as a coach because of the jobs he’s done at Leicester and Celtic. And he made an impression when he was in charge of the [Chelsea] youth and reserve team," he said.

"But there are a lot of things Brendan has said and done over the years which did not go down too well with the hierarchy. I think if Chelsea are going to appoint another manager they might be looking elsewhere."