This Friday seems to be a very busy news day at Chelsea FC with the west London club 1.) announcing the hire of former goalkeeper Petr Cech as Technical and Performance Advisor and 2.) widespread reports that progress is being made on Frank Lampard front.
Yesterday saw Juventus hold their product rollout for their new manager, ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri ,with the Italian throwing in a dig or two at Chelsea.
.@PetrCech is our new Technical and Performance Advisor!
Welcome back, Big Pete! ?
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 21, 2019
As Sarri moves on to the next chapter, now it’s time for Chelsea to do the same.
According to the Daily Express, the hold-up in regards to Lampard doesn’t have anything to do with money, but instead centers around his being “set on bringing a number of his backroom staff, including assistant Jody Morris with him.”
Long-time fitness coach Chris Jones is expected to be part of the new staff as well.
In terms of a release fee, there are widespread reports indicating that Chelsea are willing to pay £4 million to Derby County in order to make the 41-year-old their next manager. However, it’s still going to be awhile until this deal is signed, sealed and delivered- due to issues on both ends.
According to the Guardian, no official approach for Lampard has been made.
As for Derby, they are dragging their feet due to, as ESPN reports, a “desire to secure a replacement before sanctioning his departure.”
Perhaps an announcement could come next week, but it likely wouldn’t be until the middle of the week at earliest.
While that process is moving slowly, Cech is now officially part of the club again.
“I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to join Chelsea FC again and help create the best possible high level performance environment to continue the success the club has had over the past 15 years,” he said in a statement on the club’s official website.
“I’m looking forward to the new challenge and hope I can use all of my football knowledge and experience to help the team achieve even more success in the future.”
Director Marina Granovskaia added: “We are delighted to welcome Petr back home to Chelsea. During his playing career here he was one of the most dedicated, successful and thoughtful professionals we have ever had.”
“We always hoped that when Petr was ready to retire we would see him back at Chelsea FC and we are thrilled to add his expertise and knowledge of the game to the technical staff.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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