According to multiple reports, including from the Guardian and the Telegraph, Chelsea’s next step will be to make the ‘push’ for Frank Lampard’s signature right after Maurizio Sarri’s departure to Juventus.
Derby, like Chelsea, won't just give away their manager, but the £4m demanded in compensation shouldn't be much of a hurdle. Chelsea are set to collect that much, if not more for Sarri from Juventus already. And it's not like we have many other transfers to spend money on...
Derby will demand £4m compensation fee from Chelsea for Frank Lampard | @JPercyTelegraph https://t.co/HydxbAgbuZ
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 14, 2019
Lampard's status as favorite to succeed Sarri has been well reported, with his relative lack of experience outweighed by the idea of youth focus, especially with former Chelsea U18 head coach Jody Morris presumably joining him as his assistant.
Some of the youngsters who could thus benefit from Lampard’s appointment include Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori, who played for him on loan at Derby this past season, Reece James and Tammy Abraham, both of whom had impressive seasons in the Championship, and of course Callum Hudson-Odoi, one he recovers, who's expected to shoulder some of Eden Hazard's old responsibilities.