Chelsea finally make ‘official approach’ for Frank Lampard

Derby County have confirmed, in a club statement, that Chelsea have finally approached them for Frank Lampard.

Lampard has been on holiday with his family for the past week, during which Derby maintained via various channels of communication (including words from the owner Mel Morris himself, club ambassador Michael Johnson and press releases from news outlets) that Chelsea had not made an official approach for Lampard. Technically, that may well have been true; maybe it was a question of respecting Lampard’s time with his family after a grueling season of Championship football, or perhaps a matter of agreeing a compensation with Derby during preliminary discussions.

In either case, according to the statement, the clubs look to have sorted out terms among themselves and now it’s just down to getting Lampard to sign on the dotted line.

Derby County Football Club can confirm that they have granted permission for Chelsea Football Club to speak to Frank Lampard about the vacant managerial position at Stamford Bridge.

With pre-season fast approaching for both clubs it is hoped this will allow Chelsea to swiftly conclude their discussions.

The club will make no further comment until it is appropriate to do so.

- source: Derby County

It’s been an understandably taxing ordeal for either set of fans - more so to Derby County fans for sure, and there’s been an unfair amount of media attention to this ‘saga’. Either way, it finally looks to be happening and both clubs can soon push on with preparations for the new season.