Simon Jordan has hit out at Chelsea for their long-standing pursuit of Derby boss Frank Lampard – believing it illustrates the ‘arrogance’ of the Premier League’s top six.
Lampard, 41, has been excused from pre-season training by the Rams on Monday and Tuesday to finalise his move back to Stamford Bridge – where he is expected to be named Maurizio Sarri’s successor.
It follows weeks of intense speculation regarding Lampard’s imminent return to his beloved Blues, with Derby chairman Mel Morris confirming on talkSPORT on Monday morning that it’s only ‘a matter of time’ before the deal is officially completed.
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But while Chelsea will be delighted to get their man, the prolonged negotiations have dealt a blow to Derby – who have already started preparing for the season despite not knowing who will be in the Pride Park dugout next term.
The Rams could well be into their second or third week of pre-season before a new head coach is appointed, and former Crystal Palace owner Jordan expressed his disappointment at the way the Blues have handled the situation.
Speaking on the Jim White Show, Jordan said: “The way the big six clubs in the Premier League operate is arrogant.
“They will do things when they want, how they want and where they want.
“They [Chelsea] know they can get Frank Lampard. They know they can get Frank Lampard to run through the door to go and manage their club.”
Lampard will replace Maurizio Sarri, who was himself hired last summer to replace the sacked Antonio Conte.
Chelsea’s slow pursuit of Lampard mirrors their hunt for Sarri, with the now Juventus boss only hired on July 14 – after the Blues had already reported back for pre-season with Conte STILL in charge.
Jordan continued: “Their players aren’t back yet and Chelsea have a habit of appointing managers in the middle of July – let’s not forget.
“The arrogance that some of these clubs exhibit is flabbergasting – it’s not like the real world.
“They’ll do what they need to do when they feel like it at the end of the day, and that isn’t right.”
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