Ethan Ampadu's development at Chelsea is set to see him loaned out in the New Year with Championship clubs Aston Villa and Derby County battling for his signature.
The 18-year-old Exeter City youth graduate has made only two appearances for the Blues this season, but turned out in four Wales internationals having stayed at Stamford Bridge for the first half of the campaign so manager Maurizio Sarri could cast his eye over him.
There was plenty of interest from clubs wanting to take Ampadu on loan in the summer, only for him to stay in London. Now, with Sarri keen for him to develop elsewhere, that interest has resurfaced.
Derby were one of those interested parties and Lampard said at the time: "I looked at him (Ampadu). I spoke to the (Chelsea) manager and he told me he wants him in their squad, so it was a very short conversation.
"I was very impressed with Sarri. I think he is a great manager, great character. He was very nice to me about it.
"Quite rightly, he probably wants Ampadu as part of his squad. He is a fantastic talent.
"It was a question (we asked), and we have fully moved on."
Since then, Derby have been hit with a number of injuries, in particular in the defensive areas.
Left-back Craig Forsyth will likely miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury, as will skipper Curtis Davies after picking up an Achilles injury during the defeat to Stoke City last month.
Both Villa and Derby are chasing promotion to the Premier League and sit eighth and fourth respectively.
