Premier League: Derby County excuses Frank Lampard from pre-season training to complete talks with Chelsea

London: Derby County have excused manager Frank Lampard from the start to the Championship club’s pre-season training programme with the former midfielder expected to complete a return to Chelsea this week. Lampard was last week given permission to speak to the Blues, with whom he won 13 trophies in 13 years as a player at Stamford Bridge. [caption id=“attachment_5252011” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Frank Lampard is currently the manager of Derby County in the Championship. (Reuters)[/caption] “Derby County Football Club has excused Frank Lampard from reporting back for pre-season training on Monday and Tuesday to allow his discussions regarding a potential move to Chelsea to be concluded as soon as possible,” Derby said in a statement on Monday. “On the assumption that Frank will reach an agreement with Chelsea to become their new manager, the club shall step up its efforts to find a replacement manager.” Chelsea have been seeking a new manager since Maurizio Sarri departed to take charge of Juventus last month.