Lampard Cools Chelsea Rumours

Frank Lampard has played down reports suggesting he is a contender to succeed Maurizio Sarri if the Chelsea head coach is sacked.

Lampard is Chelsea’s record goalscorer, won every club honour during 13 years as a player at Stamford Bridge and is impressing as he makes his managerial bow with Championship Derby.

Sarri’s position could be under threat following Sunday’s 6-0 loss at Manchester City, another of Lampard’s former clubs, as the Blues slipped to sixth place in the Premier League.

“My job is here,” Lampard told a Derby media conference on Monday. “We’re working very hard and my thoughts are on Ipswich Town on Wednesday, and Brighton on Saturday.”

Lampard backed Chelsea “as a club” to show resilience and respond to the humiliating defeat, their worst in the league for almost 28 years.

The former Blues midfielder said: “With my Chelsea hat on, 13 years as a player there, you have a feeling for it and it’s not nice, it’s not easy. It doesn’t happen to Chelsea much so when it does it’s a shock.

“But they’re going up against an incredible team and I had some time at Manchester City as well. I have some feelings for them. The work Pep Guardiola and their incredible squad have done is something special.

“For Chelsea it was a tough day. With all top teams the important thing is you come back strong, no matter what type of defeat. What makes top teams is resilience and Chelsea as a club will have it.”