Frank Lampard is expected to be confirmed as Chelsea manager on Wednesday after Derby County granted the Premier League club permission to speak to him.


Chelsea's efforts to bring club legend Lampard, 41, back to Stamford Bridge will accelerate in the next 24 hours, with sources claiming he will sign a three-year contract in the coming days.

Roman Abramovich will pay a £4million compensation package to secure Lampard's emotional return.

A statement released by the Championship club on Tuesday read: '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.'

Jody Morris, another former Chelsea midfielder, and Chris Jones will follow Lampard from Derby.

Lampard enjoyed a successful first season in management at Derby, leading them to the final of the Championship play-offs before losing to Aston Villa at Wembley.

And that looks likely to be enough for Chelsea owner Abramovich to shell out £4m to release Lampard from his Derby contract.
The midfielder played 648 times for Chelsea, scoring a record 211 goals and helping the club win three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League.

But if he does take over at Stamford Bridge, he will inherit a transfer embargo after Chelsea were given a two-window ban by FIFA, a decision the club are appealing against at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Derby owner Mel Morris may already be in London for talks with Chelsea executives with him also due to speak on talkSPORT in their studios at 11am on Wednesday morning.

The total compensation fee will be slightly higher than £4m as Chelsea will have to pay to free Jody Morris and Chris Jones too, with Lampard wanting them both on board.

Chelsea could sweeten deal by agreeing to send young talent on loan to Derby in future, as they did with Mason Mount last season.

Derby's haste to get a decision from Chelsea is understandable given their squad are due to report for pre-season training on July 1.


The Rams are set to jet off to Sarasota in Florida for a 10-day training camp later that week.

During their time in the States, Derby will play two pre-season friendlies - one against Sarasota Metropolis of the United Soccer League on July 10 and fellow Championship club Bristol City on July 13.

Chelsea's pre-season will see them visit Japan for two fixtures - against Kawasaki Frontale in Yokohama on July 19 and Barcelona in Saitama on July 23.

They then return to the UK for a visit to Reading on July 28 before heading off to Austria to play RB Salzburg on July 31.

Source https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7178921/Derby-grant-permission-Frank-Lampard-speak-Chelsea-manager.html