Frank Lampard’s coy seven-word response to Mauricio Pochettino’s imminent Chelsea appointment

Frank Lampard was once again asked about Chelsea’s expected and imminent appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new head coach.

The 44-year-old caretaker is preparing his side for the final three games of their campaign, the first being a trip to the Etihad on Sunday to face Manchester City, who are on the verge of retaining their Premier League crown.

“I think they are the best team in the world,” said Lampard during his pre-match press conference on Pep Guardiola’s side, who are also on course to win the treble having reached both the FA Cup and Champions League final.

Chelsea are already planning for next season in a bid to avoid a repeat of this season, a campaign which has been full of disappointment, and the first appointment on the agenda is replacing Graham Potter who was sacked last month.

Following an ‘thorough and exhaustive’ process, led by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, terms were agreed with former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino to join Chelsea on a three-year deal this summer.

His appointment has yet to be made official by Chelsea, who want to respect Lampard’s caretaker tenure, but official confirmation is imminent ahead of Pochettino taking charge officially on July 1.

Lampard was quizzed on Friday over his verdict of the appointment, but the Chelsea interim boss refused to offer any response due to there not being anything officially confirmed.

He said: “Not if it’s not official, no (I won’t give a verdict).”

It’s been reported Pochettino and Lampard will speak over the squad amongst other things, which Lampard has previously publicly admitted he is happy to do. However, the pair are yet to hold talks.

Lampard added: “No (I haven’t spoken to him yet).”

Pochettino is in England after flying to the capital this week and the finishing touches are being put on his three-year contract before Chelsea confirm their third permanent head coach of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era.