sport news John Terry backs his close friend Lampard to prosper as Chelsea manager

John Terry insists no-one is better placed to galvanise Chelsea than his close friend Frank Lampard.

You would expect little else from the former Stamford Bridge favourite yet Terry's view is not born out of blind loyalty to an old friend but an inside knowledge of the demands Lampard places on himself to succeed.

Furthermore he believes Lampard and assistant Jody Morris can convince prodigious young talents like Callum Hudson-Odoi that, perhaps for the first time in years, there is a clear pathway from Chelsea's academy to the first team.

John Terry has backed his close friend and former team-mate Frank Lampard to succeed as manager of Chelsea as the former midfielder closes in on the top job at Stamford Bridge

John Terry has backed his close friend and former team-mate Frank Lampard to succeed as manager of Chelsea as the former midfielder closes in on the top job at Stamford Bridge

The pair found themselves in opposing dug-out during last season's Champions League final - Lampard was managing Derby County, while Terry was assistant manager at Aston Villa

The pair found themselves in opposing dug-out during last season's Champions League final - Lampard was managing Derby County, while Terry was assistant manager at Aston Villa

'After the season he has had with Derby and with Chelsea's transfer ban in place, there is no-one better equipped than Frank to succeed at Chelsea. It is perfect timing for him and the club,' Terry affirms.

'Frank was under pressure to succeed at Chelsea the day he arrived from West Ham and he never hid from that. He revelled in it and went on to become Chelsea's greatest-ever player.

'What made him that player was his desire to drain every ounce out of his body and that of everyone around him in training. Then, when he was done, he'd go out and practice free-kicks and shooting on his own for another half-hour.

'People would be amazed at his goal return but they just didn't realise how much dedication was put into that and his whole game. He is just as exacting on himself now as a manager.'

During 22 years at Chelsea, Terry saw first-hand how owner Roman Abramovich could be ruthless in his quest for the right manager. 

Terry and Lampard hoist the FA Cup together after Chelsea's win over Everton in the 2009 final

Terry and Lampard hoist the FA Cup together after Chelsea's win over Everton in the 2009 final

Lampard impressed as Derby manager last season, taking them to the play-off final

Lampard impressed as Derby manager last season, taking them to the play-off final

No less than 13 men have been appointed since 2003 and there is a concern in some quarters that Lampard's relative inexperience could prove a handicap.

It's a notion Terry is quick to dismiss. As part of Aston Villa's coaching team, he witnessed Lampard's work close up last season, ultimately pipping Derby in the bid for promotion from the Championship.

'I don't believe there will be any trepidation from supporters. They love him,' enthuses Terry. 'Lamps is a legend and now is the right time for him to come home.

'Roman is a successful businessman because he is so demanding but Frank will demand nothing less from himself.'

Indeed, Lampard's hunger to ascend managerial peaks was the topic of conversation when the two friends got together for dinner on holiday in Portugal following the Wembley play-off final last month.

'He would welcome that responsibility to make Chelsea more competitive and provide the stability the club has probably been lacking,' says Terry. 

'He

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