Frank Lampard dismisses talk of replacing Maurizio Sarri as Chelsea manager

Derby County manager has been linked with a return to his old club as a possible successor to the under-pressure Italian

Derby County manager Frank Lampard is Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer. Reuters

Derby County manager Frank Lampard has dismissed talks of a return to former club Chelsea as a possible replacement for under-pressure Maurizio Sarri.

Chelsea's 6-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday - their worst defeat in the Premier League - has increased the scrutiny on Sarri, with the London club's poor run of form resulting in a drop out of the top four.

Sarri is considered one of the favourites to become the next Premier League manager to be sacked, with Lampard and former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane touted as potential successors.

Lampard, Chelsea's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals, said he was focused on doing his best for Derby and backed Chelsea to bounce back quickly from the defeat, which pushed them down to sixth in the table.

"It's certainly a club I respect and a manager that I respect so it wouldn't make me smile or anything different because my job is here," the former England international told British media.

"I'm working very hard and my whole thoughts are with Ipswich Town away on Wednesday, and travelling down to Brighton in the FA Cup (fifth round) at the weekend."

Lampard, whose team are seventh in the second-tier Championship, said Chelsea had been beaten by a 'great team' in champions City.

"It's not nice and it doesn't happen to Chelsea much, so when it does it's a shock," he added.

"With all top teams, the important thing is that you come back strong, no matter what type of defeat. It is what makes top teams, resilience, and Chelsea as a club will have it."