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Lampard backed to be next Chelsea manager

Derby manager Frank Lampard's immediate focus is on next Monday's Sky Bet Championship playoff final against Aston Villa but bookmakers think the 40-year-old could be set for a sensational return to Chelsea.

The Blues may soon have a vacancy to fill because Maurizio Sarri appears to be towards the front of the queue in the race to replace Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus.

Sky Bet make Sarri the 11-5 favourite in their next Juventus manager betting, while Antonio Conte is 3-1 and Jose Mourinho 100-30.

If Sarri moves on Chelsea will be searching for a new manager for the 12th time in 12 years and Lampard is reportedly high on their wanted list.

Lampard is Betway's 4-5 favourite to be the next Chelsea manager, with Allegri and Diego Simeone rated the main competition at 5-1 and 8-1.

Lampard's stock would rise even further if he leads the Rams to the Premier League in his first season in the job.

Derby are 7-5 to reach the top flight while Villa are 8-13 favourites to go up.

Arsenal attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not travel to Baku for next Wednesday's Europa League final against Chelsea due to fears for his safety.

Mkhitaryan said: "Having considered all current options, we had to take the tough decision for me not to travel with the squad for the Europa League final."

"It's the kind of game that doesn't come along very often and it hurts a lot to miss it."

Chelsea are 7-10 to lift the trophy with Arsenal 6-5 shots.

Ex-Gunner Olivier Giroud could be lining up against his old team and is set for a longer stay with Chelsea after signing a year's extension to his contract which was set to expire this summer.

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