Frank Lampard has insisted he ignores all speculation surrounding his future at Chelsea.

The under-pressure Blues boss admitted he knows well the severity of his situation, after five defeats in Chelsea’s last eight Premier League matches.

High-profile and out-of-work managers Thomas Tuchel and Max Allegri are understood to be eyeing the Chelsea job, should Lampard’s situation change.

Chelsea’s form and results must improve rapidly – and fast – for Lampard to be afforded more time to continue his Stamford Bridge rebuilding project.

The Blues stumped up £220million on summer transfers for their former midfielder to overhaul the west London squad.

Monday’s 2-0 comprehensive loss at Leicester proved a chastening experience however, and Lampard knows he does not currently have the luxury of a long-term outlook.

Criticising a lack of objectivity across some recent reporting of Chelsea, this was the first time Lampard went on the offensive amid his regular media duties.

Asked when his expensively-assembled new squad could be expected to gel fully, Lampard replied: “Well, what marker are you putting on that?

“I’m not going to sit here and talk about next season, it would be a nonsense for any manager in a job in the Premier League to talk about next season because you can only talk about what’s in front of you.

“What’s the marker on the time to get someone playing like Eden Hazard did at the prime of his career?

“We’re aiming to be the best we can, this season.”