Frank Lampard Plays Down Links To Chelsea Job

Lampard Focused On Derby Job

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.

Naija News reports 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.”

"The bookmakers are not always right"

Frank Lampard reacts to reports linking him to becoming the next Chelsea manager.

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 11, 2019

Chelsea now sit sixth in the Premier League, below Arsenal on goals scored, ahead of what could be a decisive period for Sarri before the end of February.

The Blues next face Malmo in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday.

A resurgent Manchester United visit Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fifth round next Monday, before the return with Malmo on February 21 and then the Carabao Cup final with Manchester City at Wembley on February 24.

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Derby County manager Frank Lampard on being "favourite" for Chelsea job #dcfc #dcfcfans pic.twitter.com/89I0QBnGmD

— BBC Sport Derby (@BBCDerbySport) February 11, 2019