Chelsea expect to finalise the appointment of Frank Lampard as their new manager next week, sources have told ESPN FC.
Lampard has been identified by club owner Roman Abramovich as the preferred choice to take over from Maurizio Sarri, unveiled as the new Juventus coach on Thursday.
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Chelsea are prepared to pay the £4 million needed to release Lampard from his contract with Derby, but the Championship club's desire to secure a replacement before sanctioning his departure has slowed the process.