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Frank Lampard tells Derby fans his view of replacing Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri
FRANK LAMPARD is not affected by rumours he will replace Maurizio Sarri as Chelsea boss, he told Derby supporters at a fans’ forum.
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Lampard has been linked with the Chelsea job following an impressive first season in management with the Rams, in conjunction with Sarri’s equally unimpressive season in England.
Derby are one point off the playoff spots with Lampard making a seamless transition to his first role in the dugout.
The Chelsea legend brought his side to Stamford Bridge in October in the EFL Cup, with the Championship giving a good account of themselves in a 3-2 loss.
One month prior the Pride Park club knocked Manchester United out of the competition with Lampard claiming a scalp over his former manager Jose Mourinho.
The 40-year-old former midfielder’s transition to management has not gone unnoticed by other clubs, and he was asked about that fact by Derby supporters at a fans’ forum on Wednesday.
Speaking about links to the Chelsea job, Lampard said: “Does it affect me? Absolutely not because I have a three-year contract here.
“I am planning for pre-season, I am planning recruitment in the summer, and planning before that getting promoted, if we can.
“Having played for Chelsea for 13 years, and the link I have with them will go on forever.
Does it affect me? Absolutely not because I have a three-year contract here.
“It possibly means if Chelsea have their moments, which we all know they have had there, then I am an easy link.
“So was Zinedine Zidane before he took the Real Madrid job.”
Asked whether that case is the same for the squad, Lampard opined: “In terms of the players, my opinion is it absolutely affects nothing because it doesn't change anything in the way I work.
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"It is bits of rumour here and there, it affects nothing. It doesn’t affect the players.
"If it does, they are wrong because they should be worrying about themselves first, how they affect the team, how they train and how they play.
“I can tell you my pure focus is on the club and doing what I can do here."