Chelsea have still not made contact with Derby County to make Frank Lampard their new manager, according to the Daily Mail.

The Blues have reportedly installed Derby boss Lampard as their first-choice candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge following Maurizio Sarri's departure to Juventus last weekend.

However, the report says that Chelsea are yet to reach out to the Rams over the move with Derby chairman Mel Morris thought to be braced for an approach, but he is growing increasingly impatient over the delay.

Chelsea are targeting Lampard after his impressive first season in management at Pride Park, as he guided Derby to the Championship play-off final where they suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Aston Villa.

Former Blues midfielder Lampard is now considered the best option available to replace Sarri at the Bridge, and Derby have reportedly even reached out to their Chelsea contacts to ask if they should expect an approach for the 41-year-old.

The Verdict

Speculation linking Lampard with the Chelsea job has gone on for some time now, and it is surprising to see the Blues have not made an approach for the Derby boss now that Sarri has left.

Derby will be keen to get the situation resolved as a matter of urgency, so they can fully focus on next season with the knowledge of who will be in charge of the side.

It seems now that Chelsea are keen on their all-time record goalscorer taking on the manager role, while Lampard himself will find it extremely difficult to turn down the job if it is offered to him.

I think it is a matter of time before Chelsea make their move for Lampard. They should get it done as soon as possible, in order to not get on the wrong side of the Derby chiefs.