Lampard relied on Chelsea to help him transition into his role with Derby during his time with the Rams, bringing in season-long loans for Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori.

After both were a great success, they returned to play for Chelsea’s first team until Lampard himself sold Mount to Manchester United and sent Tomori on.

Lampard may turn to Chelsea once more for loanees now that he is assuming his new role in the Championship. Ahead of the January transfer window, Absolute Chelsea has listed a few possible additions.

Alex Matos

Matos, 20, has made four appearances for Chelsea’s youth team in the Premier League so far this season. He is eager to get back to playing regularly for the main team before the January transfer window opens.

Before going on loan in January 2024, Matos spent some time with the senior squad after making his Chelsea debut against Fulham in October 2023.

Matos joined Huddersfield Town, where he played 19 games and scored one goal before the Terriers were demoted to League One.

Matos stayed with the Blues after Chelsea failed to find a loan deal for the 20-year-old during the summer transfer window because they were concentrating on cutting away unneeded players from their overcrowded roster.

This season, Coventry has battled for midfield depth, so if Lampard continues to use three midfielders as he typically does, they will undoubtedly be looking to add a central midfielder.

Matos may get the ideal chance to play for the first squad in the Championship once more under one of the top midfielders in the league.

Was there going to be a move like the one that pushed Mount into Chelsea’s plans?

Leo Castledine

Castledine at Shrewsbury Town has been one of Chelsea’s most successful loanees this season.

The midfield player has emerged as one of League One’s most promising prospects after making 13 appearances and tallying two goals.

However, Chelsea may decide to call up Castledine and send him to the Championship in January given Shrewbsury’s struggles near the bottom of the table.

Castledine might help Lampard’s team gain some momentum while learning from one of his heroes, given Coventry’s previously mentioned lack of midfield depth.

Chelsea has previously done this during Conor Gallagher’s loan move at Charlton, despite the fact that recalling a player during the January transfer window may not be popular.

Gallagher was on track to win Player of the Season while the Addicks struggled in the Championship, but Chelsea had other ideas.

After Gallagher returned to Chelsea, he was promptly sent out again on loan to Swansea City, who were outperforming Charlton.

Gallagher, who is currently a regular England international, had a significant role in Chelsea’s first team last season and captained the squad for the majority of the season before departing to join Atletico Madrid.

Harvey Vale

Coventry has played in a back three formation for the majority of the season; it is unclear if Lampard will stick with this or switch back to a four-at-the-back setup.

Chelsea’s bright youngster Vale, who is naturally a winger but spent most of his time on loan at Bristol Rovers as a wing-back, is one player who has experience playing in both despite his youth.

After a successful loan stint in League One, the winger stayed with Chelsea’s youth squad, despite rumours of a permanent move to the Saudi Pro League in the summer.

Vale would be the ideal candidate for Lampard if he is seeking versatility and undeveloped talent. Vale’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of the current campaign, therefore he would probably need to sign an extension in order to be eligible for a loan move, which might make a move difficult.

Samuel Rak-Sakyi

Could a player who has made appearances for Chelsea’s first team this season unexpectedly join Coventry?

Tyrique George was on our radar, but it’s obvious that Enzo Maresca wants to use the winger in the UEFA Conference League this year.

With Coventry lacking depth at right-back, Josh Acheampong was another name that might have been brought up.

Although the player may wish to play at a higher level, Chelsea is unlikely to approve a move to the Championship as his future is uncertain due to contract disputes.

One player who joined his fellow youngsters in the Chelsea first team this season is Rak-Sakyi, making his debut against FC Noah in the Conference League.

The talented midfielder could provide brilliant depth for Coventry and challenge for a place in Lampard’s starting XI.

Rak-Sakyi’s brother is currently on loan at Sheffield United and has been impressive for Chris Wilder’s side, so could the pair face off against each other before the end of the season?

Deivid Washington

Young Washington from Brazil has been playing well for Chelsea’s development squad after two deals fell through during the summer transfer window, but he hasn’t yet been put to the test in the starting lineup.

Washington was supposed to transfer to Strasbourg in the summer, but a deal fell through before he consented to sign a loan with Hull City.

He would have had the opportunity to establish himself at the senior level by joining the Championship strugglers, but this trade was also not finalised by the conclusion of the transfer window.

Lampard will have plenty of forward options at Coventry with players like Ellis Simms, Haji Wright, and Norman Bassette, but it’s unclear if he will want to add another striker in January.

Washington would undoubtedly be a fantastic addition to Simms in the Championship if Coventry switched to a two-up front setup.