Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Derby manager Frank Lampard is the ideal candidate to take over from Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.

The TV pundit thinks the Blues legend has already shown that he is willing to give young players a chance whilst Rams boss and that he can take that philosophy to Stamford Bridge.

Ferdinand doesn’t believe another candidate for the role, ex Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri, would be well suited to the position, and he thinks Lampard should be given the job:

“No disrespect to Allegri, but Chelsea have had Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho, Sarri — all managers who have done great things — and never stuck with them.”

“So, are you going to continue doing that and keep blowing money away with managers who you have to pay up after two years, or are you going to go with someone who the fans are going to love to have back?…”

“He [Lampard] is the perfect choice. People talk about experience and what-not but what experience did Pep (Guardiola) have when he went into Barcelona’s first team? He trained the younger kids at the club.”

Multiple reports suggest that Chelsea have held initial talks with Lampard about becoming the club’s next manager. However, formal discussions will be delayed until after Sarri’s future at the club is sorted out.

It is believed that the Italian has agreed a two-year deal to take over at Juventus, but there is a delay due to the compensation the Blues are demanding.

Chelsea want Juve to pay £5m to release him from his contract at Stamford Bridge. The former Napoli head coach still has two years remaining on his contract at the club.