Frank Lampard is planning for Coventry's return to the Premier League by raiding former club Chelsea for 18-year-old forward Jesse Derry, reports
Lampard has bounced back from a poor ending to his spell at Everton and his caretaker role at Stamford Bridge by guiding Coventry very close to the Premier League. The Sky Blues are 10 points clear at the top of the Championship and promotion beckons.
Should they play like they have done this season, Lampard's Coventry could have a good crack at the top flight, but they'll surely need some reinforcements added to their current squad.
As per TEAMtalk, Lampard is planning to raid former club Chelsea for one of those, as he's said to have outlined plans to land 18-year-old forward Derry.
The emerging talent - who's twice played in the Blues' first team - is high on the Coventry shortlist, with Lampard keen on taking him on a season-long loan.
Indeed, the boss is said to be an admirer of Derry's, leading to the desire to scoop him for his first full season of Premier League action.
Derry has six goals and three assists in 17 Premier League 2 appearances this season, as well as five goals in his eight UEFA Youth League appearances for Chelsea.
Chelsea have plans for Derry
But those promising returns for the academy mean the Blues want him to progress, and reportedly have major long-term plans for the 18-year-old, who they view as a player who could push for a more prominent role in the senior set-up in the next 12 months.
Whether or not that stops any potential move for him over the next year remains to be seen.
It feels fairly evident that the Blues won't be selling Derry, but a Premier League loan could give him great experience ahead of his accession to the first team as a regular.
It's believed there's not yet been a decision made on whether the forward will be allowed to leave on a short-term basis.
But there will be a few sides pushing to land Derry, whether or not Chelsea are open to loaning him out.
As well as Coventry, it's reported that 'a number of clubs,' though unnamed, recognise his talent and the fact he could be available if the Blues decide to send him out on loan to further his development.
If he's not immediately wanted in the first team, that seems a useful route, and Coventry, given Lampard's connection with Chelsea, would surely be in the driver's seat, after the Blues loaned out stars such as Mason Mount to their former midfielders' Derby County side in 2018-19.
