Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has backed Antonio Conte to assume the reins at the Stamford Bridge club for next season.
The current Italy boss has been strongly linked to a move to Chelsea after the European Championship this summer. Conte led Juventus to three consecutive Serie A titles in his three years at the club before surprisingly stepping down ahead of the 2014-15 season.
Lampard spent 13 seasons at Chelsea, helping the club to three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. Now at New York City FC of Major League Soccer, the ex-England international is watching his former club from afar, and says Conte is the right man to take over the Blues.
"I don't know him too well but he's got a great pedigree, a great recent record with Juventus," Lampard told BT Sport on Thursday.
Lampard plays with former Juventus star Andrea Pirlo in the NYCFC midfield. In their conversations about the fiery Italian, Lampard says he's heard nothing but positive things about Conte.
"I spoke with Andrea Pirlo about him and he has nothing but good words to say about him," Lampard continued. "I think he's hard working, he'll have the players working hard. He has what fans and players like to see -- that determination, that will to win.
"It's a difficult job at Chelsea now considering what's happened this year, so we'll see. If it is him, I think he has the pedigree to do it, but the decision has not been made."