‘It’s obviously a great headline’

Frank Lampard did not appear impressed to be asked about reports that James Corden played a role in his return to Chelsea.

The Blues legend has been appointed as manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Graham Potter.

Getty

Getty Images – Getty

Recent reports said that co-owner Todd Boehly consulted British entertainer Corden before hiring the 44-year-old.

Lampard has now acknowledged the rumours, and hinted that Chelsea’s owners probably had factors playing a role in their decision.

When asked about it ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg clash against Real Madrid, he said: “I saw the headline of James Corden and I’m absolutely not aware of whether it’s true or not.

“But, it’s obviously a great headline to put together casually from the outside.

“I think when I look at the success of Todd Boehly, the owners of Chelsea Football Club, I think you have to respect that success and respect the idea that they’ll probably make decisions based on more than a conversation with one person.

“That’s as much as I’m going to give your two questions.”

Getty

Lampard has joined Chelsea on an interim basis in the second half of the season, similar to how fellow club legend Roberto Di Matteo did in 2012.

The Italian went on to guide the club to their first ever Champions League title later on in the campaign, but Lampard has refused to get drawn into comparisons.

When asked if he had spoken to Di Matteo, he replied: “No, I haven’t spoken to Robbie. I exchanged some messages with a few people, obviously a lot of people Chelsea related.

“Guus Hiddink and ex-managers, people in the game, but I haven’t spoken to Robbie. I think there are parallels in probably a simple sense, we’re ex-players.

Getty

“I think the year Robbie was here he was an assistant, had a big awareness of the squad and then got the job earlier in the year than I did. I was a part of that process obviously, he did an amazing job, I remember big parts of why he achieved what he achieved.

“So I think my situation is different in practice, I do have an awareness of the squad but not at close hand to all of them. I think I have to be careful making that parallel because also we have very tough games in front of us starting tomorrow so there’s a lot of work to be done.

“But we’re very committed to try, if we can, create our own little bit of history but the steps in front of us are very difficult of course.”

Chelsea will face Madrid in the Champions League for the third season in a row, with the first leg taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT.

They will return to Stamford Bridge for the second leg on April 18 as the competition offers them their final hope of silverware this season.