BLUES M-ASH UP
Ashley Cole could be shock addition to Frank Lampard’s new Chelsea coaching staff
ASHLEY COLE is being lined up by new Chelsea boss Frank Lampard in a shock addition to his new coaching staff.
Lamps brought the former Blues, Arsenal and England legend over from the USA in January and the left-back excelled.
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He helped the Rams reach the Championship play-off final in Lampard's rookie season in management.
And now, the former midfielder wants to add Cole, 38, to a backroom team that already includes his Derby No2 Jody Morris, named as assistant head coach.
Lamps said: "First of all, I needed him as a player at Derby. And then there’s the extra stuff in terms of what he brings as a professional.
“Ash is great for the group. He was always first in at training, friendly with everyone and humble, even though he was the best left-back in the world for a long period.”
Cole announced he was hanging up his boots when County failed to beat Aston Villa in the play-off final.
His 21-year professional career saw him win Premier League crowns at both London giants before top spells at Roma and then LA Galaxy.
It was always unlikely the media-shy Cole would opt for a career in broadcasting so he will surely jump at the chance to move into coaching.
Cole hinted at a move to Stamford Bridge by posting to Lamps on Instagram: "Good luck, see you at the Bridge."
COLE COULD BE SOUNDING BOARD FOR YOUNGSTERS
But Chelsea favourite Lampard has clearly got his work cut out in West London as he faces an immediate transfer ban.
Cole worked well with Derby loanees Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori, so would provide a sounding board for the youngsters looking to make the breakthrough into the Chelsea first team under Lamps.
His experience from a career laden with silverware would help Lamps establish an immediate winning mentality under his new charges.
But Lamps has been adamant he is not setting up a "jobs for the boys" system.
So moves for ex-Blues favourites Claude Makelele and Didier Drogba are unlikely to emerge.
He said: It's a very Chelsea orientated team but what I want to make clear is this is not an old boys' club.
"What I'm trying to put together with this staff is talent, it's fresh talent in my eyes. We are relatively young but we are not inexperienced."
However, the new Blues boss will link up with former Blues keeper Petr Cech in his role as technical director.
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Lampard has already brought in first-team coach Chris Jones and coach Joe Edwards, while ex-Chelsea star Eddie Newton remains at the club.
He added: "I may have only one year in management but in Jody, Joe and Eddie and Chris we have many years of coaching within us.
"I think what we are trying to do and that is not just me - it is the club, is to bring in not just players who played for the club because they played for the club, we are trying to bring in people that feel the club, also people with an incredible work ethic."
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