Emmanuel Petit has picked Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti as his preferred replacement for Frank Lamaprd this summer.
Petit made his name in the Premier League at Arsenal before returning to England with Chelsea after a spell at Barcelona
Petit played alongside Lampard in the Chelsea midfield in their overlapping 2001-2004 period, and he told Legal Sports Books that while he hoped his former team-mate would be replaced by Real Madrid boss Ancelotti - who oversaw a 2-0 win with his Spanish team last night at Stamford Bridge - he doubts the Italian will return.
“There are so many managers linked with Chelsea,” he said.
“Every day you open the newspapers, then you hear it on the radio and the television that there are five or six different managers in the frame. I would love to see Carlo Ancelotti apply for the Chelsea job, but he said last week that he won't come back to England, he won't come back to Chelsea.
“Maybe he's a bit tired. He has won everything. Maybe he's very close to retirement, I have no idea.”
Petit also backed another home favourite midfielder, Mason Mount, in his battle to get fresh terms on a new deal.
Mount’s current deal expires in 2024 and he is yet to agree an extension, which has led to speculation that he could make a free transfer or cut-price move to another Premier League side.
Petit explained: “He’s one of their few homegrown players from the Chelsea academy. Mason Mount is not stupid. He's been tremendous for Chelsea the last couple of years. He has the DNA of the club and the fans love him.
“Can you imagine what the mindset of the fans could be at the end of the season if they see Mason Mount leave the club? He has seen the club splash millions on new players and wages and he’s probably thinking ‘ok you can spend millions on new players who have no link with Chelsea, whilst I’ve been here for years and years shown loyalty to the club and done everything I can on the pitch. I deserve a proper contract now.’ I can understand his frustration.”