Frank Lampard HASN’T held Chelsea talks about about replacing Sarri but club will move for him when Italian quits

CHELSEA have NOT held talks with Frank Lampard over becoming manager - but will move for him when Maurizio Sarri quits.

The Blues have identified club legend and Derby boss Lampard, 40, as a replacement for the homesick Italian should he join Juventus this summer.

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But they are yet to make an official approach to the Rams, who Lamps led to the brink of promotion before losing last month's Championship play-off final to Aston Villa.

Chelsea chiefs do not want to sack Sarri, 60, after finishing third in the Premier League and winning the Europa League, and have made a last-ditch attempt to persuade him to stay.

They know it will be tough to get the former Napoli manager to reconsider and resist the lure of home — but the Blues will not make the first move as it would cost them another pay-off.

Sarri signed a three-year contract after Antonio Conte was axed last summer and it would cost Chelsea £5million to sack him — while the Europa league winners would get £5m compensation from Juve if he quits for Turin.

Lampard, Max Allegri and even Jose Mourinho are potential successors to Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

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Lamps — along with his Derby assistant Jody Morris — is the fans' choice to take over.

Chelsea are also keen on England No2 Steve Holland, and if they did turn to Lampard, his experience would be a valuable addition to the staff.

But Holland, who was assistant to former Blues managers Mourinho and Conte, would take convincing to leave his job under Gareth Southgate — especially with the European Championship next summer.

The prospect of being part of England’s home games at Wembley — rekindling memories of Euro 96 — is a huge part of Holland’s thinking.

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Lampard has impressed his old club in his rookie season as a manager.

He took on Chelsea youngsters Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori, playing them regularly on the road to Wembley.

Another Blues legend Petr Cech will rejoin the club as Sporting Director next month.

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