Blues rethink Frank plan
LONDON: Chelsea will consider accelerating their long-term plan to bring Frank Lampard back to the club if Maurizio Sarri returns to Italy this summer.
The Blues legend is viewed as a future boss by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, but they would prefer Lampard to have at least another year of managerial experience under his belt. But the uncertainty around Sarri’s future could see Chelsea rethink that.
Sarri is on the shortlist of candidates for the vacant Juventus and Roma managerial positions this summer.
Chelsea will discuss Sarri’s future after the Europa League final with his departure no longer as likely as it was earlier in the season.
Winning in Baku and finishing third in the Premier League, which confirmed Chelsea’s place back in the Champions League, would represent a successful first season in charge.
But Chelsea know a return for Lampard would help reunite a fan base that has turned on Sarri several times this season.
The fact Lampard would almost certainly bring No 2 Jody Morris with him from Derby is also an attractive possibility for the Blues. Morris, as well as coming through the Blues academy to make over 170 appearances for the first team, helped nurture a number of the club’s youngsters including Ruben LoftusCheek and Callum HudsonOdoi.
Derby’s head of performance Chris Jones, who was appointed by Lampard, also spent 12 years as a coach at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard remains committed to planning for next season with the Rams following their play-off final defeat on Monday and will hold talks with them in the coming days to discuss their plans for next season.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has admitted he wants to sign Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, telling Spanish radio: “I am very interested in him coming to Real Madrid and very hopeful he will come this year.”