Frank Lampard future at Derby up-in-air but talks with Chelsea have not begun yet, insists ‘committed’ owner Mel Morris

FRANK LAMPARD’S future at Derby is up in the air but he has not held talks with Chelsea, according to Mel Morris.

The Rams owner has admitted the club want him to stay despite the devastating defeat to Aston Villa in the play-off final on Monday.

Lampard has emerged as an early favourite to replace Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge this summer after his impressive debut season.

But Morris has insisted that he wants the ex-England international to see out the final two years of his contract at Pride Park.

‘ONE DAY MAYBE’

When he asked about Lampard’s future, he told talkSPORT: “There has been no conversation.

“Frank Lampard, every time anything moves on the management side at Chelsea his name is always going to be mentioned by their fans. That’s always going to happen.

“One day maybe Frank will manage Chelsea, I don’t doubt that will happen at some point in the future.

“But I just hope when that does happen he can pick up Chelsea at a time where he can go on to be successful.

“Right now we want to keep him.

“We’ve got two years left on his contract and would obviously love to retain Frank’s services.

“I’ve had no indication that’s not going to be the case.”

Morris also played down speculation that he is set to cut costs with the view to sell the club.

The 58-year-old said: “I’ve always been committed and that will continue.”

After the defeat to Villa at Wembley, Lampard also confirmed that he had been in discussions with his former club.

The 40-year-old said: “I have had no conversations with anybody else. I am manager of this club and I am very proud to be manager of this club.

“I have a two-year contract. I have loved working here and I want to continue that and I want to continue working and progressing with the club.”