Frank Lampard has been excused from reporting back to Derby for the start of pre-season.
Lampard remains Chelsea's No.1 choice to replace Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge and has been given permission to speak to his former club.
He is still in talks over a return to the club where he became record goalscorer as a player and it looks increasingly likely his appointment will be imminent.
The Blues are happy to pay Derby £4m in compensation, whilst Lampard is likely to be joined by several members of his Derby coaching staff, including assistant manager Jody Morris.
A club statement from Derby read: "Derby County has excused Frank Lampard from reporting back for pre-season training on Monday and Tuesday to allow his discussions regarding a potential move to Chelsea to be concluded as soon as possible."
With a transfer ban in place, it is believed Lampard has been given assurances that he will be given at least a season to prove himself.
He will likely look to give more Blues youngsters a chance to impress in the first team, with Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori back at Stamford Bridge after impressing under Lampard on loan at Derby.
Blues legend Lampard immediately impressed in management in his first season at Pride Park, taking them to the Championship play-off final where they were beaten by Aston Villa.
He was already being tipped as a future Chelsea boss, but the process has been fast-tracked by Maurizio Sarri's departure to Juventus, making him the natural successor.
The 41-year-old would be a popular appointment amongst fans but would have a tough task to emulate Sarri's only season in charge, during which the Blues finished third in the Premier League and won the Europa League.
