Derby “excuse” Frank Lampard from training for Chelsea job talks

Derby County have given manager Frank Lampard permission to skip the start of pre-season in order to ‘conclude’ negotiations with Chelsea regarding a potential transfer.  

The Blues’ record goalscorer has been linked with the vacant post at Stamford Bridge ever since Maurizio Sarri left for Juventus last month.

Will Lampard move to Chelsea? Five things to know…

• Chelsea are searching for a successor to Sarri, who joined Juve mid-June.
• Lampard has just completed his maiden managerial campaign with the Rams.
• Last week Derby issued a statement confirming they have granted Chelsea permission to negotiate with Lampard.
• However, club owner Mel Morris has since stated he is ‘hopeful’ Lampard will stay at the club.
• It now appears a deal could be completed this week as Derby ‘excuse’ Lampard from pre-season duties in order to finish talks with Chelsea.

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Chelsea were initially permitted authorisation to talk with their former midfielder last week, and it now appears negotiations could be concluded in the forthcoming days.

In a fresh statement, Derby have confirmed that Lampard will not report for the beginning of pre-season training on Monday or Tuesday as talks with the Blues continue.

The statement read: “Derby County has excused Frank Lampard from reporting back for pre-season training on Monday and Tuesday to allow his discussions regarding a potential move to Chelsea to be concluded as soon as possible.”

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“The situation is open”

Chelsea’s recently-appointed technical and performance adviser, Petr Cech, has revealed the club are not just looking at Lampard, but also exploring other potential candidates.

It is believed the club have already offered the 41-year-old a three-year contract and have agreed to pay a considerable compensation package to Derby, but the ‘situation remains open’ according to Cech.

He said: “The club has identified some of the coaches they are dealing with.

“The situation is open, Frank is one of the candidates. I could speak about all the candidates with the leadership, they know my ideas.

“By the time the first team will start the preparation we would like to solve the coach’s question.”