Frank Lampard has asked former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to join him at Stamford Bridge as he prepares to take over from Maurizio Sarri as manager.
The Derby County manager – who won the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup with the Blues during a legendary stint as a player – is set to return to Chelsea just a year after making his debut as a manager.
His Derby side were beaten by Aston Villa in the Championship play-off finals but he has done enough to convince Chelsea he is ready to step up to the big time.
Sarri is leaving the club in order to link up with Italian giants Juventus, despite helping Chelsea back into the Champions League courtesy of a third-placed finish in the Premier League.
The Italian also won the Europa League, and Chelsea will use £4million of the £7m compensation to release Lampard from his contract at Derby.
Lampard, who also played for England, West Ham and Manchester City during a successful playing career, will now assemble his backroom staff ahead of being officially appointed as Chelsea head coach.
Morris will arrive with him as assistant, while Lampard has already spoken with Drogba – who he won the UEFA Champions League with – over lunch to see if he will accept the role of a striker coach, according to The Sun.
Shay Given – the former Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa goalie who is also a member of Lampard’s backroom staff at Pride Park – is also expected to join.
However, there may be no place for Gianfranco Zola who served as Sarri’s No. 2 last campaign but may be forced to move on.
