Derby owner Melvyn Morris insists he will hold crucial talks with Frank Lampard about the club’s future this week amid speculation linking the Rams boss with his old club Chelsea.

Derby, who were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final on Monday, are set for another season in the second tier of England football.

Recent reports suggest Chelsea have identified club legend Lampard as their primary choice to replace Maurizio Sarri, who could take over as the new Juventus manager this summer.

“It’s ultimately down to Frank,” said Morris. “I just hope if he moves on to Chelsea it is at a time when he can actually go on to have great success with them and in the mean time he is our manager for another two years and we look forward to planning for next season.”