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      Frank Lampard refuses to rule out becoming PERMANENT Chelsea manager as he admits job is not strictly until season ends

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      FRANK LAMPARD completed his shock return to Chelsea as caretaker manager – and hinted he could take the job permanently.The Blues confirmed Lampard’s appointment on Thursday afternoon following the sacking of Graham Potter last weekend.
      Frank Lampard has hinted he could take the Chelsea job on a permanent basis
      Frank was all smiles when he took his first training session as caretaker manager of the West London club
      Out of a job since his Everton axing in January, Lampard, 44, will oversee the club’s final nine games of the Premier League campaign, as well as Champions League quarter final against Real Madrid.
      In the meantime, American owner Todd Boehly will carry out an “exhaustive” recruitment process.
      Asked whether this is strictly until the end of the season, regardless of results, Lampard said: “No, but I think the role and the explanation speaks for itself in the period I am here for.
      “I’m not getting anywhere ahead of myself. I want to do the best possible role and impact the club in the best way. After that, we will see what happens.
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      “I don’t need answers to that point. I have taken that under the conditions.
      “My only focus can be this. The feeling I have from the club, rightly so, is that they want to do a process to find the right person to take the club forward whoever that might be.
      “That is absolutely their prerogative. Maybe that is why I am here. Of course, it was a surprise, you never know the decision a club is going to make.
      “But it is not for me to decide the club’s process and how they go about it.
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      “Now it is up to me to do well. After that, of course, it may mean I end up saying thank you very much, and at that point I will be very happy and say I have given everything and hopefully it is positive.”
      Following a 13-year playing career at Chelsea that included three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League, Lampard managed the club for 19 months from June 2019 to January 2021.
      He was replaced by Thomas Tuchel, whose first game in charge was a 0-0 draw against Wolves. In a full circle moment, Lampard is now back on the touchline away at Wolves on Saturday with the club in 11th and 14 points off the top four.
      Lampard was seen at Stamford Bridge watching Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Tuesday night, a visit he planned weeks in advance and said he had not been approached before kick-off.
      However, SunSport revealed that evening that Chelsea were considering hiring Lampard.
      Asked why he has returned, Lampard added: “It was a pretty easy decision to make. This is my club. I have a lot of emotions and feelings towards the club.
      “I’ve been on a different path since I left Chelsea but to come back at a time where the club have asked me to take the role, that’s the most important thing.
      “I didn’t think I would never be in this seat again. I’m a confident person.
      “I’m delighted to get the opportunity and I want to be thankful for that. I have a good understanding of the squad.
      “But also, the training ground, the stadium, the fans, what Chelsea fans want and I’ll do my utmost in this period to give them what they want with my own hard work.”
      A statement from Boehly read: “Frank is a Premier League Hall of Famer and a legend at this club.
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      “As we continue our thorough and exhaustive process for a permanent head coach, we want to provide the club and our fans with a clear and stable plan for the remainder of the season.
      “We want to give ourselves every chance of success and Frank has all of the characteristics and qualities we need to drive us to the finish line.”
      The midfielder is Chelsea’s all time leading goal scorer
      Lampard needs to get Chelsea firing again quicklyCredit: Getty More

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      Lampard shares a joke with Aubameyang as he takes Chelsea training for first time & fans hope outcast will get a chance

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      CHELSEA fans believe outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be smiles better than Kai Havertz up front after seeing Frank Lampard take his first training session.Aubameyang laughed alongside Lampard as the Stamford Bridge legend returned as an interim replacement for sacked manager Graham Potter.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang laughs with interim Chelsea chief Frank Lampard and Reece James in training at CobhamCredit: © Jim Bennett
      Lampard has refused to get drawn into commenting on his long-term futureCredit: Getty
      Stamford Bridge legend Lampard ran the rule on familiar faces plus the expensive buys of ill-fated predecessor Graham PotterCredit: © Jim Bennett
      The ex-Arsenal striker, 33, struggled for even a bench spot under Potter.
      But many Bridge supporters feel he is the out-and-out scorer Chelsea need, even if no longer the lightning-quick force he once was.
      One fan said: “Reintegrate Aubameyang immediately. Havertz is simply not good enough for Chelsea.”
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      Another posted: “He’s a striker they can’t score. I’d try anything.”
      A third wrote: “I mean he is a full on 9.”
      And a fourth reckons Aubameyang could at least be a stop-gap answer until the summer.
      On the topic of whether to bring the Gabon hero back, the supporter replied: “I really hope so. He might not be the perfect solution but for the foreseeable future he would be a good striker.”
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      Chelsea splashed £551million in the last two transfer windows.
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      But despite £323m of that coming in January, Potter failed to bring in a world-class frontman.
      Instead his main buys were Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernández for a £115million British record and £88m Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk.
      Some fans, however, suggested Aubameyang is no longer an elite goal-getter.
      One wrote: “Aubameyang doesn’t start for any top club anymore I love him and thank him for winning us the FA Cup but that’s just facts.”
      Former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard, 44, picks his first team on Saturday when his 11th-placed side visit Wolves.
      Lamps was previously appointed permanent Blues’ manager in July 2019 but axed 17 months later before also being sacked by his last club Everton in January this year. More

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      Chelsea ‘make contact with Jose Mourinho’ to take over from Frank Lampard in summer for THIRD stint at Blues

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      CHELSEA have reportedly sounded out Jose Mourinho over a sensational THIRD stint in charge of the club.The Blues are currently without a permanent manager following owner Todd Boehly’s axing of Graham Potter last weekend.
      Chelsea sacked Graham Potter following a torrid run of resultsCredit: REX
      Club legend Frank Lampard has been installed as the team’s interim managerCredit: PA
      Reports in Spain claim Jose Mourinho has been sounded out over a potential third stint in chargeCredit: GETTY
      The American has brought back former Blues boss Frank Lampard to take charge of the team until the end of the season as he looks for long-term replacements for Potter.
      And he’s reportedly sought out club legend Mourinho over a potential third reign as Chelsea chief.
      That’s according to Spanish outlet Relevo, who claim the Roma boss has already received a phone call about taking the Stamford Bridge vacancy.
      It’s also claimed the Blues brass have also reached out to Mourinho’s countryman Nuno Espirito Santo about the job.
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      It would be truly remarkable for Mourinho to take the Chelsea job for a third time.
      The Portuguese first took charge of the Blues in 2004 after guiding Porto to an unlikely Champions League title.
      Mourinho’s first stint in charge of the West Londoners was a trophy-laden one, to say the least.
      He guided the Blues to two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cup trophies.
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      But he left Stamford Bridge in September 2007 following a series of disagreements with former owner Roman Abramovich.
      The Special One returned six years later after leaving Real Madrid and guided the Blues to a league and cup double in the 2014-15 season.
      But his second love affair with the club ended in dismissal in September 2015 as he was axed following a dire run of nine defeats in 15 league matches.
      Chelsea currently find themselves in dire straits following Potter’s axing, toiling in 11th place in the league and 13 points off the Champions League places.
      Shortly after his appointment was confirmed, Lampard said: “I’m not getting ahead of myself.
      “I want to do the best I can to impact the club in this period and we will see what happens afterwards.” More

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      Chelsea could opt to CHANGE NAME if they move stadium thanks to little-known pre-Abramovich rule

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      CHELSEA could opt to change name due to a little-known clause in their stadium arrangements. Plans have been in the works for years for the club to move on from Stamford Bridge and follow London rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham by upgrading to a bigger ground.
      There has been major changes on and off the pitch for Chelsea over the last 12 monthsCredit: Getty
      But former owner Roman Abramovich and now new club chiefs Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have faced headaches over getting the wheels in motion.
      One big issue is Stamford Bridge’s unique arrangements which sees the stadium owned by thousands of fans in shares.
      The Chelsea Pitch Owners PLC (CPO) have a big say on whether the Blues can move and continue with their name.
      The group have to approve the move from Stamford Bridge if the club are to continue in their current form of “Chelsea”.
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      The CPO also own the freehold to the Bridge and the owners would have to buy it off the group to allow them to have control of the stadium.
      This could be beneficial as selling Stamford Bridge could help provide funding for any new venture.
      But the process promises to be far from straightforward with Abramovich’s attempts to buy the land in 2012 being shot down by CPO shareholders.
      Fans are believed to be split over the issue with some happy with Stamford Bridge – which has been the club’s home ground since 1905 – while others have looked enviously over at rivals Tottenham and their new, state-of-the-art stadium.
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      While that debate continues on in the background, the Blues have more immediate issues to address.
      Frank Lampard was announced as the club’s caretaker manager as he looks to revive the Blues after Graham Potter’s disastrous spell in charge.
      Boehly and Eghbali will then have to turn their attention to the club’s next permanent manager with speculation continuing to link high-profile names with the job. More

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      Frank Lampard drops huge hint ‘fantastic player’ Mason Mount will be back in Chelsea line-up following Potter exile

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      FRANK LAMPARD has hinted Mason Mount will return to the Chelsea starting XI under his management.Mount fell out of favour under recently sacked boss Graham Potter.
      Frank Lampard has suggested Mason Mount will be more involved under him
      Mount has endured a difficult seasonCredit: Getty
      However, Lampard seems to have hinted at the England international’s return to the side.
      Speaking in his first press conference after being announced as Chelsea’s caretaker boss, he said: “Mason has always been a fantastic player for me.
      “From my days at Derby the impact he had there to when he came back to Chelsea,
      “It’s an absolute pleasure to watch him, and other players like Reece James, Tammy Abraham and [Fikayo] Tomori to go on and be huge players here or elsewhere.
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      “I know he’s had a few injury problems so it’ll be important for me to speak to him about that and find out where he’s at.
      “But I know what I get from Mason. I just want to see him perform on the pitch.
      “We have a good relationship. We talk a lot.
      “He’s been a huge player for Chelsea.”
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      Mount has not featured in any of the last five league games for Chelsea.
      The 24-year-old has registered just three goals and two assists in 23 league games this season.
      His lacklustre form has seen Mount play more than 80 minutes in just four league matches since the mid-season break.
      However, once he has fully recovered from the injury setback which saw him forced to pull out of the England squad, he may experience a new lease of life.
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      How Chelsea could line up under Antonio Conte with Lukaku back in fold, Hudson-Odoi at wing-back and key Milan man

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      ANTONIO CONTE is being considered by Chelsea chiefs for a shock Stamford Bridge reunion.The Italian is the last boss to have won the Premier League with the Blues back in 2017.
      Antonio Conte won the Premier League title during his first Chelsea stintCredit: Getty

      He was sacked the following year, however, after a moody title defence that saw his team come fifth.
      Conte, 53, is currently a free agent after being sacked by Tottenham during the international break.
      The Independent claim that initial contact has been made between Conte and Chelsea via intermediaries.
      And the two parties could even meet next week should initial talks go well – with Frank Lampard set to take the job on a caretaker basis, which would allow Conte time to rejuvenate until the end of the season.
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      Conte enjoyed initial success at Stamford Bridge by using his trademark 3-4-3 formation.
      And should he land the gig once again, Conte would retain the three at the back system that the Blues have largely used since Thomas Tuchel’s appointment in January 2021.
      Chelsea will have a decision to make between the sticks this summer, with one of Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy likely to leave.
      Conte may favour the latter as a more reliable option.
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      Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga are vying for the No1 position at ChelseaCredit: AFP
      He could look to use Reece James in a right centre-back role, although his former stalwart Cesar Azpilicueta may even return to the fold.
      The experience of former Serie A stars Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva is likely to appeal to Conte, despite Wesley Fofana’s obvious quality – while Benoit Badiashile appears perfectly suited to the left centre-back role.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi could return to the fold at right wing-back, despite a slightly disappointing year on loan at Bayer Leverkusen.
      It could be awkward for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, however, after he recently joked during an appearance on talkSPORT that Conte is the person he’d least like to get stuck in a lift with.
      Ben Chilwell would likely be preferred to Marc Cucurella at left wing-back – while the talented Ian Maatsen could return from his mightily impressive loan spell at Burnley.
      Conte’s former favourite N’Golo Kante would be a key man in midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez, should he pen a new deal as expected.
      Conte would likely be thrilled to reunite with N’Golo KanteCredit: PA:Press Association
      Callum Hudson-Odoi has spent this season on loan at Bayer LeverkusenCredit: Getty
      The Blues could then look to splash out big on Rafael Leao this summer after the Portuguese sensation’s brilliant season at AC Milan.
      Where this would leave the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling remains to be seen.
      Mason Mount could leave this summer, with Manchester United and Liverpool keen.
      This could open up a spot as Conte’s right forward for Kai Havertz, who could play off forgotten man Romelu Lukaku.

      The Belgian has endured an underwhelming Inter Milan return this term, scoring just three goals in 16 Serie A appearances.
      But he is a favourite of Conte’s, and his former Inter boss could be just the man to rejuvenate his career.

      Conte got the best out of Romelu Lukaku during their time together at Inter MilanCredit: Reuters More

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      Ex-Chelsea stars who left West London and became world class, like Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah and Declan Rice

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      EVERY time Kevin De Bruyne or Mohamed Salah put in a Man of the Match performance, Chelsea fans are hit with a pinch of ‘what might have been’.Unfortunately for Blues supporters, those two are now undisputed world superstars.
      De Bruyne has evolved into arguably the best midfielder on the planet since leaving ChelseaCredit: AFP
      Nathan Ake stars for Man City and HollandCredit: Getty
      But, before they reached their current elite level, they were once allowed to leave Stamford Bridge as underplayed, underachieving youngsters.
      And they’re not the only two either.
      We’ve taken a look at SIX players who could have been starring in West London, if they had not failed to make the grade at Chelsea before going on to become superstars elsewhere.
      It’s enough to make you weep… if you’re a Blues fan that is.
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      NATHAN AKE
      THE Dutch defender joined Chelsea’s youth ranks from Feyenoord in 2011, before moving to the senior squad a year later.
      But Ake made just seven appearances for the Blues in the Premier League and was loaned out to Reading, Watford and Bournemouth.
      Ake eventually found a permanent home on the south coast and became a star for the Cherries.
      Bournemouth fought hard to keep Ake for three years – in which he played over 100 times in the Premier League.
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      But with Manchester United and City both knocking, the Cherries eventually cashed in to the tune of £40m following their relegation in the summer.
      Now at the Etihad, Ake has helped Guardiola’s City to two Premier League title wins.
      KEVIN DE BRUYNE
      NOW quite possibly the best midfielder on the planet, it’s barely-believable De Bruyne was a Chelsea misfit.
      Having signed from Belgian side Genk in 2011-12, the now-Manchester City star played just two Premier League games for the Blues.
      On the periphery of the first-team squad, De Bruyne was loaned to Werder Bremen, before being sold to Wolfsburg for just £16.7m.
      There, De Bruyne’s class shone through and his career took off, joining City for £55million in 2015.
      The pass-master has won three Premier League trophies at City in easily the club’s greatest era.
      MOHAMED SALAH
      SALAH joined Chelsea from Basel in 2014 – but played just 13 times in the league, scoring twice.
      In 2015 and 2016, the Egyptian was loaned out to Fiorentina and Roma – before joining the latter permanently, in a deal worth around £11m.
      After just one season in the Italian capital, Liverpool were surprise suitors, bringing Salah back to the Premier League in a deal worth £36.7m.
      In his first season at the Reds, Salah broke the Premier League record for most goals in a 38-game season.
      In his second campaign, he won the Champions League.
      And in his third, Salah inspired Liverpool to Premier League success.
      Salah is now easily ranked as one of the world’s best forwards – and will always be the one who got away from Chelsea.
      Salah has gone from strength to strength since leaving ChelseaCredit: AFP
      DECLAN RICE
      THE England international and his family were all huge Blues and he must have thought he was well on his way of achieving his childhood dream of playing for them when he was signed to their academy.
      But the midfielder was released by Chelsea aged 14 back in 2013.
      The determined star was not to be deterred, and after a successful trial, he was quickly snapped up by West Ham.
      Rice has not looked back since and has progressed through the ranks in East London and broke into their first-team at the end of the 2016-17 season.
      He is now the stand-out performer for the Hammers on an almost weekly basis, and one of the first names on the team sheet for England.
      Those displays caught the eye of several big boys, including Arsenal and Manchester United, but it is Chelsea who desperately want him to return.
      Declan Rice was released by Chelsea aged 14 but is now a star at West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      NEMANJA MATIC
      SIGNED from now-defunct Slovak side Kosice in 2009, Matic was tipped to become an attacking midfield superstar at the Blues.
      The Serbian midfielder had played just twice in the Premier League and was loaned out to Vitesse in Holland.
      But after two years – and a switch to a more defensive role – Matic was sold to Benfica as part of the 2011 deal that saw David Luiz arrive at Stamford Bridge.
      But after starring at Benfica, Chelsea splashed out £21m – nearly 20 times what they initially bought him for – to re-sign him in 2014.
      Matic would later join Man Utd in 2017 but has now reunited with Jose Mourinho at Roma.
      Nemanja Matic left and rejoined Chelsea for nearly 20 times the original feeCredit: Getty
      TARIQ LAMPTEY
      THE full-back is another one that got away after his departure from Chelsea in 2020.
      He joined their academy aged just eight and won a host of honours alongside the likes of Tammy Abraham and Reece James on their rise through the youth ranks.
      Tariq Lamptey has suggested that he moved away from Chelsea in order to take his career to the next level.  The 22-year-old is a product of the Blues youth development system, having joined the club when he was just 8-years-old.
      Lamptey was promoted to the Blues first-team in 2019 after the arrival of Lampard in the dug-out.
      But he failed to receive as much game time as some of his other fellow academy graduates, making just one Premier League appearance for the club last season. 
      Brighton came in for Lamptey and Chelsea were happy to do business and cash-in on the youngster for £4m on deadline day.
      But since then he has blossomed for the Seagulls with a series of stunning displays, leading to speculation he could even be on the verge of a senior international call-up.
      Arsenal were linked with a swoop for the starlet, who Chelsea failed to include a buy-back option as part of his exit, but he committed his future to Brighton last year by penning a new long-term contract.

      Explaining his decision to quit Chelsea, he said: “I had to look at where I would get the most football and how I could take my game to the next level.
      “I sat down with the coaches, family members and agents and thought about what’s best for me. It was a really tough decision.”
      Tariq Lamptey has blossomed at Brighton since his Chelsea exitCredit: Getty More

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      Axed Chelsea boss Graham Potter spends £20K on Maldives break — but still checks his old side’s results

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      AXED Chelsea boss Graham Potter flew off for a sunshine holiday — and checked his old side’s result on the way.He spent £20,000 of his £13million pay-off on a Maldives break with his wife and three children.
      Axed Chelsea boss Graham Potter flew off for a sunshine holiday — and took time out on the plane to check how his old team got onCredit: AP
      Potter was heading for the sun-soaked Maldives with his familyCredit: Getty
      After changing at Dubai, he was in his Maldives-bound business-class seat when he got his phone out to see Chelsea had drawn 0-0 with Liverpool.
      A source said: “Graham certainly wasn’t cracking open the champagne, and, if anything, looked a little glum.
      “He perked up during the flight — perhaps knowing Chelsea still struggled without him gave him a lift.
      “He played games with his son and also had a snooze.
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      “He was last on the plane and first off, disappearing in a private bus.”
      Potter, 47, wearing sunglasses and baseball cap, headed abroad on Tuesday two days after being fired from the under-performing Premier League side.
      They paid Brighton a record £22million to nab Potter and his coaches in September.
      Potter got out his phone to see Chelsea had drawn 0-0 with LiverpoolCredit: GettyHAALAND TEAMS UP

      GOAL machine Erling Haaland and girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen look to net a bargain or two as they go shopping.
      The Manchester City striker, 22, and Isabel, 18, were joined by an 11-strong entourage as they hit upmarket stores in London’s Oxford Street. More