Frank Lampard poised for Chelsea return as Maurizio Sarri agrees Juventus deal

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has agreed to a three-year deal in principle with Italian champions Juventus, which will see the 60-year old return to his home country after only a year in-charge in England. The negotiations regarding the compensation fee, however, could rise upto £5m. Blues’ all-time top scorer Frank Lampard is poised for a return to Stamford Bridge. 

The former Napoli manager endured a difficult first season warming upto the Chelsea faithful, however, his side ended the season on a positive note: winning the Europa League trophy, finishing third in the Premier League and achieving a Carabao Cup runners-up medal. 

Juventus parted ways with former manager Massimiliano Allegri at the end of the season after the lack of Champions League success during his reign at the club. Though Maurizio Sarri only has one major trophy to his name, he will bring an attacking approach at the Allianz Stadium which will greatly benefit the Old Lady’s style of play.

Chelsea are looking to get former player and club legend Frank Lampard at the helm for the foreseeable future. The 40-year old manager will be the first Englishman to manage Chelsea after 23 years following a terrific debut season as head coach of Championship side Derby County. Lampard led the Rams to the play-off final losing out on Premier League promotion at the hands of Aston Villa.

Football pundit Jamie Redknapp sees his cousin as “perfect” Chelsea. “Frank would be the perfect person”, he said, speaking to Sky Sports. “Maurizio Sarri is still the manager right now so until that changes, if it were to change and if they need a manager next year, they need someone who’s going to come in and stabilize the club.”

“They have lost their best player (Eden Hazard) and they have got a transfer embargo for two or three windows, so you need someone that everybody loves and they will give them time”, he added.

Radknapp also believes Lampard will bring his assistant and former Chelsea player Jody Morris to Stamford Bridge. “[Lampard] knows the game and obviously Jody Morris will come back with him if he does do that and Jody knows all the young players and will want to give those guys a chance”, he said.

“It would be interesting but the fans here would love one of their own. I think Frank would be a great choice but whatever they do, whoever it is, even if it’s not Frank, they will need to be patient.”