Frank Lampard has been linked with interest in one of Chelsea’s rising attacking prospects ahead of Coventry City’s return to the Premier League.
The Sky Blues boss retains close links with Stamford Bridge, having managed the club twice following a glittering playing career when he established legendary status at the club.
And, according to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, the 47-year-old has “already outlined plans to secure a move for highly-rated Chelsea starlet Jesse Derry."
The 18-year-old winger, who plays predominantly off the left, can also operate as an attacking midfielder and is the son of former Leeds, QPR and Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun, who went on to manage Notts County and Cambridge United.
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An England youth international with caps at Under-17, U-18 and U-19 levels, Derry junior was handed his senior Chelsea debut in the 4-0 FA Cup victory at Hull in February.
The report says that Lampard is already planning ahead for next season in the top flight, and is “understood to be keen on adding young, high-potential talent to his squad.”
To that end, it says, “sources can confirm that Lampard has identified Derry as a player who could fit that profile perfectly.” It claims that Lampard is looking to take the lad on a season-long loan.
The article continues that the teenager is regarded as one of Chelsea’s brightest emerging prospects, having joined the club from Crystal Palace last summer.
Since then, he has continued his rapid development and has already been handed his first-team debut, underlining the faith placed in him by those at Stamford Bridge.
However, any potential move is far from straightforward, it says, because Chelsea are known to have major long-term plans for Derry and view him as a player who could soon push for a more prominent role in their senior set-up in the next 12-months.
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