Stuart Pearce has given his verdict on whether Frank Lampard should leave Derby County for Chelsea.
The Nottingham Forest legend has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Lampard's readiness for the Stamford Bridge job - should he be offered it.
Lampard is the bookmakers' clear favourite to take over from Maurizio Sarri, whose impending departure to Juventus is yet to be confirmed, with reports in the national media suggesting a formal approach for the 40-year-old is imminent.
The Rams boss led Forest's arch-rivals to last month's Championship play-off final, where they lost 2-1 to Aston Villa, denying them a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2008.
Last season was Lampard's first in the job - and Pearce reckons he needs more time in the dugout before he makes any return to Stamford Bridge.
"I think he could do with more experience," Pearce told Sky Sports News.
"He's had a wonderful first season at Derby.
To step into the Premier League won't faze him in any way, he's got a very relaxed and focused mentality.
"But it's a difficult job going in, the transfer embargo, your best player (Eden Hazard) has just been sold.
"It's very similar to the situation I had when I went in at Manchester City - no finances available, Shaun Wright-Phillips was sold very early on in my tenure. He's got a similar type of thing with Hazard leaving.
"I think it will be a really tough job, especially if they expect them to be challenging for the title.
"Somewhere down the line, Frank will be a top manager and worthy of taking over at Chelsea, whether it's this summer or somewhere down the line, who knows?"
With a transfer ban incoming, Chelsea could have to look to their youth ranks for the foreseeable future.
That wouldn't be a problem for Lampard and Morris, who saw Chelsea loan youngsters Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori flourish at Derby under their tutelage last season.
"Jody knows the academy system very well and if you can only pool from those players because of the embargo, that might be another reason to give the job to Frank and Jody," Pearce added.
