Chelsea and Juventus have agreed the details of Maurizio Sarri’s move to Turin but he will not be confirmed until the Blues have finalised plans for his replacement, who they hope will be Frank Lampard, according to Sky in Italy. Sarri, who guided Chelsea to a third-place finish in the Premier League and a Europa League win, will complete a return to Italy after a single season in English football. Other managers have been linked with the role, but it is understood Lampard is now Chelsea’s top choice to replace the outgoing Italian. 
Derby are braced for an approach from Chelsea for Lampard, but have not yet received one. Massimiliano Allegri, who had been touted as a potential candidate for the role, announced on Thursday he is to take a year out of football after leaving Juventus. Lampard enjoyed an impressive debut season in management, leading Derby to the Championship play-off final where they lost 2-1 to Aston Villa. 
Chelsea are facing the prospect of a two-window transfer ban but would be appointing two figures with a deep understanding of the club should Lampard return alongside his Derby assistant Jody Morris. Lampard spent 13 years in west London, 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. Morris, who started his playing career at Chelsea, impressed as a youth coach at Stamford Bridge before leaving to join Lampard at Derby. Both have an acute understanding of the club’s youth setup and players who are out on loan, which could be vital given their impending transfer ban. Chelsea have appealed against their two-window transfer ban imposed by FIFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If Chelsea appoint Lampard he will be the first English manager to take charge of the club in 23 years.
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