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#1 Ultimately, there are better options currently available
Last but not least, there are better options available for Chelsea to choose instead. If you look at the reported managerial shortlist, Lampard simply isn't the best or most promising option right now.
The likes of Ajax's Erik ten Hag, Watford's Javi Gracia, Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves and departing RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick are more experienced, and have plied their trade at the top level.
Juventus' Massimiliano Allegri has already announced he's not in the running - with the Italian set to take a sabbatical year after five years in Turin.
Assessing the reported candidates
Immediately, Gracia doesn't stand out as an attractive pick being Watford boss. But when you consider what the Hornets have done this past season in the post-Richarlison phase, it's been impressive to say the least by the Spaniard. With more consistency, they would have earned a Europa League berth for their troubles too.
That's precisely what an overachieving Wolves did, in their first season back among England's top-flight no less. Nuno has established them as a tricky opponent and one tough to beat at Molineux, while investing well and importantly playing good football with impressive results to boot. What would happen if the Portuguese was granted more financial freedom in future at Chelsea?
As for ten Hag meanwhile, got Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals - the club's first time since the 1996/97 campaign, while focusing on striking the balance between youth and experience. Establishing a youth core there, the 49-year-old impressed while winning plenty of new admirers after leading Holland's dark horses just minutes away from this month's final in Madrid.
Steve Holland, Gareth Southgate's assistant manager with England, is also said to be in the running. After eight years coaching Chelsea's reserves (2009-2017) while also learning the ropes as a first-team assistant to various managers, that approach too makes more sense. So when you compare them all with Lampard, it's quite evident how he's still just getting his feet wet in managerial terms.
For all of Derby's great story lines, they haven't been in any trouble or faced much adversity during his reign thus far. Spygate wasn't their own issue and with limited egos packed in that squad, you can only wonder how he would deal with things in trickier circumstances.
It's unfair to thrust him in at Chelsea while ignoring others who are credible and arguably better suited to the job at present - he shouldn't just get first refusal based on his name, even if he's a club legend.
That's why it is imperative they give him some time and are patient with his managerial development from afar: otherwise it will end precisely the way fans don't want it to, in tears and frustration.
