Former Chelsea FC midfielder Frank Lampard has played down speculation linking him with a return to Chelsea, insisting he is only focused on Derby County.

Lampard has been viewed as a candidate to replace Maurizio Sarri who is said to be under pressure at Chelsea with the Italian admitting in his post-match comments that his job is always at risk.

Unsurprisingly, bookmakers have Lampard listed as an option to take over should Sarri depart Stamford Bridge, yet Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer hopes the current boss can turn around the team’s fortunes.

“With my Chelsea hat on, you have a feeling for it and it’s not nice,” the former England international told the media on Monday. “It doesn’t happen to Chelsea much, so when it does, it’s a shock. But let’s not forget they were up against a great Manchester City team – and I also had some good times there as a player.

“Bookmakers are not always right for starters, so I wouldn’t get excited about that. Chelsea is certainly a club I respect and have a manager I respect. My job is here [at Derby] and I’m working very hard. All my thoughts are on Ipswich Town away on Wednesday – I hope to see Chelsea put some form together and turn their results around.”

Derby sits seventh in the table ahead of Wednesday’s trip to bottom club Ipswich, while the Rams face Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.

Source: Dailymail