Former
Derby captain and club ambassador, Michael Johnson, has urged Chelsea to
"respect" the club in their pursuit of Frank Lampard.
Chelsea are expected to make a formal approach for Lampard after agreeing a
deal with Juventus for head coach Maurizio Sarri to return to Italy. Derby,
though, are yet to receive any contact from the Blues.
Johnson, who is currently in charge of the Guyana national side, thinks
Derby would be able to prepare better for next season if Chelsea were more
"open and transparent" in their pursuit of Lampard.
He said: "There has been no direct contact made by Chelsea, but you can't
get away from the noises and it's probably going to be more 'when' than
'if'.
"From our side, from Derby's side, we want that little bit of respect from
Chelsea's regard.
"If you're going to make the approach, just make the approach; be open and
transparent about it.
"If we're going to move on, then allow us to make that process happen. If
not, then let's squash all the rumours, allow the fans to relax, enjoy the
summer and focus on Frank being our manager next year.
"We want to keep him, we want him to be our manager and, if there is to be
an approach from Chelsea, then let's be open and honest. The longer it goes
on, the more disconnected we are as fans and as staff and that's not right."
Lampard won three Premier League titles and a Champions League at Chelsea
and Johnson can appreciate why he would want to return to Stamford Bridge.
"I understand, as a player, the pull. It's your former club, you spent a lot
of years there, and you're a legend there," he said.
"People will talk about lack of experience, but there's no guarantee that
experience will get you anywhere. I think it's very hard to hide behind that
he's got a lack of experience.
"What I would say is that it was a great year to be involved with Derby
County and, hopefully under his leadership, they'll be many more!"
Lampard led Derby to the Championship play-off final, where they lost 2-1 to
Aston Villa, in the 41-year-old's first season in management.
While Sky Sports News understands a number of candidates have contacted
Derby about succeeding Lampard as manager, Johnson is keen to keep the Rams
boss for at least another season.
"What he did for our club and the way we played at Derby last year, with the
emphasis on youth, playing attractive football - it was exciting," said
Johnson.
"This is one of the reasons that I know Mel Morris, our owner, will want him
to stay because the brand of football we enjoyed was fantastic and we want
another year of it."
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