These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.

Ivanovic backs Lampard as future England manager

Former Chelsea right-back Branislav Ivanovic says he believes Frank Lampard can manage the England national team one day but admits he wants the former midfielder to stay at Chelsea for life.

Ivanovic, who is now playing under Slaven Bilic at West Bromwich Albion, has been impressed with the work his old colleague has been doing at Stamford Bridge.

‘When Frank decided to become a manager, everyone who knows him knew he was going to be a success,’ said Ivanovic to the Daily Mail.

‘He is the right person in the right place, not just for Chelsea. I hope he will stay at Chelsea for life, but for sure he could give to his country and be a manager of the England national team.’

This week, the Blues extended their unbeaten run to 12 games as they qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Ivanovic has also been closely watching Lampard and believes he deserves the job.

‘He knows football and has great ideas. I watch his interviews and you can see he understands the game, the things he needs to do and how to give belief to the group,’ the 36-year-old said.

‘It’s a massive job to understand football and to make the team play and work as you want. He has a good group of people around him to help him. He will be a success.

‘He fully deserved to be Chelsea manager, not just because of his name. Of course, I wish him all the best and for me, he will always have a huge part (to play).’

Leeds boss speaks about Lampard relationship

Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa has spoken about his relationship with Frank Lampard and has stated it is not bad.

The two managers will face each other for the first time since Lampard defeated Leeds in the Championship play-off semi-final two seasons ago.

In that season, Bielsa sent an intern to watch one of Lampard’s training sessions at Derby before a game which created the ‘Spygate’ saga.

When asked, Bielsa answered openly on the relationship between him and our coach.

‘It’s not bad. The relationship I have with him is similar to the ones I have with the rest of my colleagues.’

Bielsa was fined £200,000 by the Football Association which the Argentinian paid out of his own pocket. Bielsa stated that the events of Spygate were dealt with and it is something he wants to put behind him.

‘This is a moment that has already gone past. It was already resolved by the authorities, who judge how these actions need to be punished.’

Bielsa has taken the Premier League by storm this season by playing a brand of football that needs high intensity and a lot of running. He has also been very impressed with the work our head coach has done in the last two seasons since leaving Derby.

‘During last season he developed a lot of players that were already in the institution,’ he said in the press conference on Sky Sports.

‘This season he improved the composition of his team, choosing players for the positions he deemed he needed. This is shown by the way the team is playing well and the way individuals in the team are playing.

‘There are young players who have developed, there were signings with experience and signings with a big future.’

Deschamps backs Giroud’s fighting spirit

France national team coach Didier Deschamps has spoken about Olivier Giroud’s fighting spirit after the Frenchman scored all four of our goals against Sevilla in the Champions League this week.

The 34-year-old started the game and showed his influence by leading from the front and by example. He also became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League.

‘It’s always important for attackers to score goals, whatever the match,’ said Deschamps to goal.com.

‘When it’s a Champions League match, against a Sevilla team that is very successful, it is necessary to highlight Giroud’s performance.

‘He has the immense pleasure of being able to start a match. It does not happen to him often, even if by returning he scores important goals. Scoring a quadruple in the Champions League doesn’t happen every day. Besides they are different goals.’

Deschamps has relied on Giroud for the national team and sees him as an important piece of his puzzle. The World Cup winner also praised his striker for his strong mentality.

‘Olivier is someone with a big mind, a big character. He is forced to fight against everyone, to excess at times.

‘It was an important game as they played for first place against Sevilla. Faced with such an opponent, it further enhances his performance. Good for him and his club.’