Chelsea’s 6-0 defeat at Manchester City at the weekend left Derby County coach Frank Lampard shocked but the former midfield great has distanced himself from talks of returning to Stamford Bridge as a possible replacement for manager Maurizio Sarri.
Derby County
Frank Lampard’s Derby County are set to confirm the signing of former Celtic and Super Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose according to a report published via TEAMtalk.
England and chelsea legend Ashley Cole has joined former Chelsea teammate and current Derby boss Frank Lampard at the Championship club until the end of the season.
Cole, who won 107 England caps, was a free agent after his recent departure from LA Galaxy, and Lampard is confident the 38-year-old will boost Derby’s promotion drive.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure Ashley’s services for the rest of the season,” said the Derby manager, whose side are currently in sixth place in the Championship, the final play-off spot.
“He’s a fantastic player, a quality left-back, and he also brings great experience to the dressing room.
“I know him very well from our time together at Chelsea, and with England, and I also know what he can bring to the group and the influence he will have.”
Cole, who won multiple trophies alongside Lampard at Chelsea including the Champions League, said he relished the challenge.
“For me it was a no-brainer to come here and get involved in this great environment and hopefully push for promotion,” he said.
“I’m coming out of my comfort zone,” he added. “I could have stayed in the MLS and relaxed but no, I wanted to come here and again fight for something, fight for a good cause and try to make promotion.”
Super Eagles combative midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo was sent off during Stoke City’s 2–1 win over Derby County in English Championship game on Wednesday.
The enigmatic midfielder was given his matching order in the first half after just 33 minutes after he adjudged to raised his studs up into Richard Keogh’s shin.
Sam Clucas’sgoal had put the Potters ahead but Derby County equalised five minutes into the second half through Harry Wilson.
Stoke ensure that Etebo‘s dismissal won’t prove costly as Thomas Ince scored the winner with 26 minutes left to play.
The win moved the Potters to 12th in the table with 26 points after 19 matches, while Frank Lampard’s Derby are seventh with 31 points.
Chelsea beat Lampard’s Derby in League Cup Halloween thriller, to face Bournemouth next
Chelsea dumped Frank Lampard’s Derby out of the League Cup on Wednesday despite a valiant effort by the Championship side to battle back from a defensive Halloween horror show.
Maurizio Sarri’s much-changed side eventually emerged 3-2 winners, with all five goals coming in a helter-skelter first half, on a night when there were also fourth-round victories for Arsenal, Tottenham, and Middlesbrough.
Two astonishing early defensive errors at Stamford Bridge from Fikayo Tomori – on loan from Chelsea – and Richard Keogh either side of a Jack Marriott equalizer gave the home side a 2-1 lead.
Undaunted, Lampard’s side levelled shortly before the half-hour through Martyn Waghorn before Cesc Fabregas restored order for the Premier League high-flyers.
Lampard, one of Chelsea’s greatest-ever players, felt his side deserved a draw on chances created but said he was a “lucky man” to be able to enjoy such an occasion.
“The difference between the sides was they scored three… actually we scored four didn’t we? I joke because I’m proud,” he told Sky Sports. “Talking to their staff, they’re saying we’re playing well.
“I respect this club, I don’t have to talk about this club. I’m proud of my players.”
The 40-year-old former England midfielder received a rapturous reception on his first return to Stamford Bridge as a manager, soaking up the atmosphere before kick-off.
Chelsea will have to put aside their feelings for Frank Lampard if they want to advance in the Carabao Cup. With both managers seeking their first trophy, neither will want to go out cheaply, regardless of the emotions or quality gap.
Hazard will be ‘scared’ of facing Derby County, Says Lampard
Chelsea Legend and Derby Manager Frank Lampard has joked that Chelsea star Eden Hazard is scared of facing his Derby County side.
The 21-year-old right-back spent last season on loan at Hull City in the Championship, where he made 46 appearances.
The south London-born defender is a Nigeria international with five caps, despite representing England at youth level from U16 to U20.
Aina has made six senior appearances for Chelsea – three of them in the Premier League and all during the 2016-17 campaign.
PSV Eindhoven joins Torino, QPR, West Brom in race to sign Ola Aina from Chelsea
Dutch League giants PSV Eindhoven has joined Torino and EFL Championship clubs QPR, West Brom and Derby County in a bid to sign Olaoluwa Aina from Chelsea.
The Super Eagles defender Aina, is a man in demand after the Blues indicated that they can allow to let him leave temporarily again this season according to The Mirror.
Italian side, Torino and Championship trio Derby, West Brom and QPR are also keen on the versatile defender.
Aina spent last season on loan at Hull and missed out on a place in Nigeria’s World Cup squad after being named in the Super Eagles’ preliminary 30-man squad.