Chelsea news: John Terry backs Frank Lampard as the ‘perfect’ candidate to succeed at Stamford Bridge
The former midfielder has been given permission to talk to the Blues about taking the vacant manager’s job following Maurizio Sarri’s departure to Juventus
John Terry has backed Frank Lampard to succeed as Chelsea manager, insisting there is 'no-one better' who could take the Stamford Bridge hot-seat.
The former midfielder has been given permission to talk to the Blues about taking the vacant manager’s job following Maurizio Sarri’s departure to Juventus.
The deal has been in the works for weeks, with Chelsea willing to pay £4million in compensation to bring the club legend back.
Though Derby County's owner Mel Morris has claimed he is still hoping the 41-year-old will snub a return to Stamford Bridge, it is a formality that he will be confirmed as boss.
Speaking to the , he said: "After the season he has had with Derby and with Chelsea's transfer ban in place, there is no-one better equipped than Frank to succeed at Chelsea.
"It is perfect timing for him and the club. Frank was under pressure to succeed at Chelsea the day he arrived from West Ham and he never hid from that. He revelled in it and went on to become Chelsea's greatest-ever player.
Terry also insisted that Blues fans will not be apprehensive over the appointment of Lampard, who has spent just one year in management with Derby.
"I don't believe there will be any trepidation from supporters. They love him," he added.
"Lamps is a legend and now is the right time for him to come home."
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Meanwhile former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley feels the club have made the wrong choice appointing Lampard.
“This will work for work for a certain period in terms of knitting together and appeasing fans”, he told the Sports Bar.
“But ultimately, same as [Manchester] United and Solskjaer and anybody who brings in a former player with little experience, is it’s going to come down to the results.
“If your’re going to Stamford Bridge next season and Chelsea lose five or six on the bounce – and I’m not suggesting that could happen but it could. Then the fans are going to turn.”
Chelsea are looking for the 12th manager of owner Roman Abramovich's tenure following Sarri's exit just 12 months into a three-year deal.
The Italian led the club to Europa League glory and a third-placed Premier League finish.
Lampard, who joined the club as a midfielder in a £11million switch from West Ham in 2001, is revered by fans who saw him establish himself as the Blues' record goalscorer during a playing stint which amounted to 648 appearances.
His stay brought success in the Champions League in 2012 and the Europa League a year later, as well as three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups.
Should talks conclude successfully, Lampard will lead the club into the Champions League next season, although he will also have to cope with the transfer ban should Chelsea fail in their bid to have it overturned by CAS.
Derby would be due compensation if their manager was prised from their grasp, although that would be offset by the sum Juve paid to acquire Sarri's services.