Frank
Lampard is one of several candidates for the vacant manager's job at
Chelsea, according to the club's technical and performance advisor Petr
Cech.
Last week, Derby granted Chelsea permission to speak to Lampard as the club
sought to replace Maurizio Sarri after the Italian returned to his homeland
with Juventus.
Sky sources understand Chelsea have told Derby they are prepared to pay the
£4m compensation clause in Lampard's contract.
However, Cech - who returned to Stamford Bridge earlier this month - has
claimed former Chelsea team-mate Lampard is not the only manager under
consideration, but added the club will look to confirm any appointment
before the team's pre-season starts.
"The club has identified several candidates, the situation is open," he told
Czech News Agency. "Frank is one of them. Before the first team begins
preparations we want to solve the issue of the new manager.
"The most important thing is to choose a new manager, it will be crucial in
the context of further work.
"The coach will have ideas for the team, we will be completing the team for
next season. He will have to look at the players and decide who will go to
Japan."
Lampard was appointed as Derby boss last summer and enjoyed an impressive
debut season in management, leading the club to the Sky Bet Championship
play-off final where they lost 2-1 to Aston Villa.
He spent 13 years in west London as a player, winning three Premier League
titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League, and Champions
League, becoming the club's all-time top goalscorer in the process.
Cech meanwhile returned to Chelsea after ending his playing career at
Arsenal last season.
The 37-year-old's role will be to provide advice on all football and
performance matters, as well as developing stronger links between the
academy and first team.
Cech will be based at Chelsea's Cobham training ground and will work closely
with director Marina Granovskaia and the coaching staff. He will also travel
with the team home and away.
"It's something new to me, but I don't feel nervous. That's the thing that
surprised me," he added.
"The first thing is to choose a coach, it will affect the next job. The
coach will have his ideas. The idea is that I will be with the first team to
have the opportunity to watch the development of the preparations.
"When I decide I want something to work in some way, I have to go to the
club management first to allow it. I'm new to the role. But I have enough
possibilities to influence the club, which is a great responsibility and I
like it.
"My job description is to look at the first team, the academy, the transfer
policy, the data from training. The range is broad, occupying all the
disciplines that belong to football. My job is to report and especially
bring ideas."
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