Frank Lampard will always have a connection to Chelsea, even though he is the new manager of Derby County.
Having never previously indicated any desire to get into management – unlike his former central-midfield partner for England, Steven Gerrard – it was a surprise when Lampard got the job at Pride Park.
But, in Lampard’s transfer dealings, it is clear to see that he has identified his weaknesses when it comes to scouting and has decided to rely on what he knows – i.e. Chelsea.
With the help of his assistant manager and former Chelsea under-21 coach Jody Morris, Lampard has signed both Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori from the Blues.
Mount – who has already opened his scoring account for the season – is coming off the back of an excellent season at Vitesse Arnhem, while Tomori is looking to earn a starting role having been a bit-part player at Hull last season.
Chelsea’s academy is well vaunted – they won their fifth successive FA Youth Cup in 2018 – but has been criticised for not giving opportunities to these youngsters, instead preferring to send them out on loan.
But Lampard – if he is able to have success with these two Chelsea youngsters – could be seen as a manager-to-be by the Blues fans and hierarchy alike due to his history with the club.
And it would probably be a welcome decision for Chelsea fans.
Managerial appointments at Stamford Bridge have usually seen big-name foreign managers hired, but seeing a club legend in the dugout would surely be a unifying sight for Chelsea fans.