Former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle believes it is the ‘right time’ for Frank Lampard to step into the Stamford Bridge hotseat.
Blues boss Maurizio Sarri is set to join Juventus with club legend Frank Lampard the bookmakers’ favourite to replace the Italian.
The former England midfielder, who guided Derby to the Championship play-off final in his first season in management, won every major honour during a 13-year spell at Chelsea.
Hoddle, who was in charge of the Blues from 1993 to 1996, told BBC Sport: “I can see Frank managing Chelsea Football Club at some stage in his career.
“I don’t believe that you are too young or it is too early. It might be the right time for him.
“I just feel that (with) Chelsea at this moment in time, there is a bit of a crossroads with what is going on off the pitch and on the pitch.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
“(Eden) Hazard has gone, if the transfer embargo is there for two windows, it is going to be a real balancing act, and a really experienced manager would find it difficult.”
Derby could hold out for £4million to hand Chelsea the green light for talks with Lampard.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to return to the club in a technical director role, which would prove popular with the fans and a good fit given the Czech stopper was long-term team-mates with Lampard.