Emenalo left Chelsea (Picture: AMA/Getty)
Emenalo left Chelsea (Picture: AMA/Getty)

Frank Lampard is being lined up as a shock replacement for Michael Emenalo as Chelsea’s technical director, reports claim.

The Blues legend has been doing punditry work since hanging up his boots but has been linked with a permanent coaching role at Stamford Bridge after he undertook his badges while helping out former team-mate Jody Morris with the Under-18s.

And the Champions League winner has been touted as a replacement for Emenalo, according to the Daily Express. 

Emenalo surprisingly announced his departure from Stamford Bridge on Monday in the aftermath of Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

In the short term, Roman Abramovich’s right-hand woman Marina Granovskaia is set to assume his duties but Chelsea are on the lookout for a long-term successor.

Lampard with Emenalo (Picture: AMA/Getty)

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Lampard would be a popular choice among the fans, although senior club officials were questioning his credentials for the role.

However, they accept that the appointment should be used to ease relations between Antonio Conte and the owner.

The pressure remains on Conte (Picture: PA)
Abramovich was concerned by the situation at Chelsea (Picture: AFP/Getty)

The Russian billionaire spoke openly with Conte when at the club’s training ground last week but Chelsea’s win over Manchester United appears to have eased tensions around Stamford Bridge.

However, if Chelsea head into the January transfer window without a new technical director in place, Conte will no doubt apply more pressure to the powers that be – particularly after missing out on several top targets in the summer.