Chelsea, Derby County and loanees: Frank Lampard sets up a win-win-win

Every move Frank Lampard makes at Derby County will be viewed through a Blue lens. Chelsea’s loan system is one area where both clubs and several players can immediately benefit from Lampard and Jody Morris.

Having signed a three-year contract to manage Derby County, Frank Lampard’s “complete focus is on Derby and trying to be a success here.” He will not want to exit his first managerial job prematurely, either on his choice or Derby’s. Then again, if he really does have eyes on the Chelsea post, completing the full term of his contact may count against him. The Blues tend to like a manager who knows how to take a sacking.

Lampard’s choice of Jody Morris as his assistant has all the markings of a long-term homecoming / takeover plan. Morris has been instrumental in Chelsea youth’s historic success. The ascension in recent seasons of youth players to the first team – or at least Premier League loans – is another credit to Morris’s tenure.

Derby County, then, will be a ripe destination for Chelsea loanees, especially in the coming season. If Lampard is successful in bringing Derby County to the Premier League, the Rams will only be able to carry one Chelsea loanee.

The Rams could use the infusion of youth. Of the 15 players with over 1,000 minutes last season, only one was under 25 years old and nine were age 30 or older. The only U23 player with over 100 minutes was Chelsea loanee Kasey Palmer. He had 426 minutes for the Rams, all in the second half of the season.

The Blues have two teenagers who could make an immediate contribution to Lampard’s Rams. Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi both enjoyed significant playing time under Antonio Conte in 2017/18, particularly Ampadu before a season-ending injury while playing with the youth teams. Both players would likely have solid roles in the Europa League and the domestic cups with Chelsea, but few Premier League minutes.

The Blues have a surfeit of returning (and returning from loan) centre-backs. Tiemoue Bakayoko’s late-season surge into his Monaco form gives Chelsea the defensive midfield they need, with Bakayoko alongside N’Golo Kante. This combination will keep Ampadu – for all his precocious talent and intelligence – on the outside looking in. Hudson-Odoi may have the better hopes given Chelsea’s lack of depth on the wing. But for all his ability and potential, the Blues need an experienced goal-scorer to power next season’s push back to the top four. They also will want Ross Barkley as the central attacking midfielder rather than the 17-year old Hudson-Odoi.

The Rams, though, could use both players’ youth in their preferred positions. Derby County’s centre-back and defensive midfield corps are all well over 30. They need fresh legs as well as a plan for the future. Ethan Ampadu should not be that future, as he should be ear-marked for a quick return to Stamford Bridge. But he can transition them into a younger, sharper team who can compete in the Premier League in coming years.

Likewise, Hudson-Odoi will be an injection of speed on the wing and central attacking midfield. One of Derby County’s rare players in his mid-20’s – Tom Lawrence (24) – is an attacking midfielder, and he would likely keep Hudson-Odoi out on the wing. This is where Chelsea may need him sooner rather than later.

Frank Lampard has been in the mix as a future technical director as well as a manager. At Derby County, he will likely have a hand in building their team to return to the Premier League and then stay there. The squad they have now may be sufficient to reach the top flight, but are not set up for survival. When they go up, they will need to spend. If Lampard can keep the costs down ahead of time they will have more money in the summer before their return season, in addition to their promotion pay-out.

Next: Blues twice over: Chelsea's best players-turned-managers

Tapping Chelsea’s loan system is a low-cost way Frank Lampard and Jody Morris can shape the future of both clubs. The players they bring in from Chelsea over the next few years could be the players they manage at Chelsea a few years after that. Lampard is one of the few who could execute all of this without either team doubting his motives or his loyalties.