Ashley Cole could be a surprise addition to Chelsea’s coaching staff – with Frank Lampard gushing over the defender’s professionalism while they were at Derby.
After playing together for club and country, Lampard brought Cole back from LA Galaxy to use his vast experience at Derby last season.
Cole has been released by Derby and could be in line for a role under Lampard, who was hugely impressed at the 38-year-old’s contribution on and off the pitch.
“First of all, I needed him as a player at Derby. And then there’s the extra stuff in terms of what he brings as a professional.” said Lampard.
“Ash is great for the group. He was always first in at training, friendly with everyone and humble, even though he was the best left-back in the world for a long period.”
Lampard has appointed Jody Morris as assistant head coach as well as first-team coach Chris Jones and backroom staff Eddie Newton and Joe Edwards.
His former team-mates Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele have also been linked with returns, while Petr Cech is back in the role of technical and performance advisor.
But Lampard insists any appointments to his staff will be made on merit and not purely on sentiment.
"It's a very Chelsea orientated team but what I want to make clear is this is not an old boys club," he said.
"What I'm trying to put together with this staff is talent, it's fresh talent in my eyes. We are relatively young but we are not inexperienced.
"I may have only one year in management but in Jody, Joe and Eddie and Chris we have many years of coaching within us.
"And you mention about Petr and you mention about the talk of Didier and Makelele.
"I think what we are trying to do and that is not just me - it is the club, is to bring in not just players who played for the club because they played for the club, we are trying to bring in people that feel the club. Yes, first and foremost, yes that is nice but also people with an incredible work ethic."
