Frank Lampard says Ashley Cole's influence on Derby squad is 'priceless'
Monday 18 February 2019 17:36, UK
Frank Lampard believes Ashley Cole’s experience will have a "priceless" influence on his Derby squad and says his professionalism will make it straightforward for him to manage the 38-year-old.
Cole joined his former Chelsea teammate at Pride Park until the end of the season and scored his first goal for the Rams in their 2-1 FA Cup defeat against Brighton on Saturday.
Derby are two points outside the play-off places in the Championship and boast a number of young players, including Chelsea loanee duo Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori, and Lampard expects Cole's impact to be widely felt.
Asked how Cole's hunger and experience could further his Derby squad, Lampard said: "I think it is very important because when players sit in the dressing room with Ashley Cole, they see someone who has done everything in the game but still has a huge desire and wants to rub off on other people around them and improve the squad with his way in and around the dressing room and obviously improve us on the pitch.
"That kind of influence is going to be priceless for us. That is the starting point and if he performs as I know he can do and did at the weekend, then great for us as well."
Cole, who was released by LA Galaxy in November, played the second half against Brighton and Lampard says Cole is determined to help the Championship side's promotion push, with 15 games left in the league campaign.
"At 38 you have to consider the fitness of him but he is very fit, a very good professional and he is very hungry to come here and do well," Lampard said ahead of their match against Millwall on Wednesday.
"I think he showed us a nice 45 minutes of someone who is probably not quite match fit but what he can do. Not just the goal but his performance all round.
"Now, Ashley is ready to play for us. Simple as that and if I need to manage him because of the 38 years slightly differently in games then I have no problem to do that. Ashley is a great pro, it will be very easy to do."
Lampard and Cole's former club Chelsea face a pivotal week in their campaign with potentially season-defining games against Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday followed by the League Cup final on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
The Derby boss insists the Blues have what it takes to enjoy success, with a Europa League last-32 second leg tie against Malmo also sandwiched in between the two domestic cup fixtures.
All eyes will be on but I am sure they have the quality there to try and get positive results.
"Teams like Chelsea, Manchester United are there to win things so obviously cups are a big deal," Lampard said.
"They are three difficult games for Chelsea. We know they have had a slightly tough time of late but it is Chelsea we are talking about - good players, good club, always competing for things over the recent seasons.
"All eyes will be on but I am sure they have the quality there to try and get positive results."
