Chelsea face yet another potentially tough task when they host old rival Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday night.
The Blues have lost their last three matches in the league and have won just once in seven games in the competition, most recently being beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Head coach Liam Rosenior is under increasing pressure to change his side’s fortunes, with a top four finish and place in next season’s Champions League at stake.
Ahead of the visit of the Red Devils, it has emerged that former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard – now the boss of Coventry City – is eyeing a move to sign a youngster from the Blues.
According to TEAMtalk, Lampard is keen to sign young midfielder Jesse Derry from his former side, and is hopeful of making the teenager his first signing following their imminent promotion.
Derry has made a couple of senior appearances for Chelsea this term (Photo: WhiteRosePhotos/Alamy)
The Sky Blues currently sit ten points clear at the top of the Championship table, and need just a single point to mathematically secure promotion back to the top flight.
While Lampard and his team will be fully focussed on promotion and wary of complacency, the report suggests that the ex-England international has identified Derry, 18, as one of his top targets to bolster his squad this summer.
Derry joined Chelsea from London rivals Crystal Palace last year and has since been impressing for the Blues’ under-21 side.
He made his senior debut for the west London outfit in an FA Cup game against Hull City in February, and has also since featured against Wrexham in the same competition.
Lampard – who is Chelsea’s all-time record goalscorer and has also managed the club during two separate spells – is said to be plotting a move to sign Derry from his former side.
The teenager – the son of former Queens Park Rangers man Shaun – is capable of playing in a number of attacking positions including as a winger on either flank, or as an attacking midfielder.