Round-up: Morris joins Lampard as clubs wait on McGeouch
Jody Morris has left Chelsea to become Frank Lampard’s assistant at Derby County, it has been confirmed.
The Hammersmith-born 39-year-old, who spent most of his playing career with Chelsea and had been working as the club’s Under-18s’ coach, links up with ex-Blues team-mate and new Rams boss Lampard at Pride Park.
Lampard said: “Jody has been hugely successful with Chelsea’s youth team and he has won everything there is to win in the last few years.
“He is great at developing young players and that is something we are really going to look to do here.”
Abraham praised
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England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd has praised the rejuvenated Tammy Abraham after he helped fired the Young Lions into the Toulon Tournament semi-finals.
The 20-year-old Chelsea striker has scored twice in three group games ahead of Wednesday’s last-four showdown with Scotland.
It comes after he netted just once in the Premier League after October while on loan at Swansea, who were relegated.
But he has rediscovered his scoring touch with England aiming for a third straight Toulon title.
Boothroyd said: “You’re going to have some ups and downs, it’s how you deal with those downs – just like how you deal with it when you’re on a crest of a wave and on top.
“He’ll be fine, he loves football, done really well for us and I’m sure he can write his bit into the story of this tournament.
“His enthusiasm is infectious, everyone likes him. You know when he’s in the room, he’s a real genuine guy.”
McGeouch set to decide future
Dylan McGeouch is set to make a decision on his future following his Scotland debut.
QPR want the Hibernian midfielder, whose contract expires this summer. A number of other clubs are keen on him as well.
Brentford have also shown an interest too and Fulham also had him on their radar prior to recently winning promotion back to the Premier League.
The 25-year-old, who featured in internationals against Peru and Mexico, told the Daily Record: “I put all talk about my future on hold.
“I knew I was coming away with the Scotland squad so wanted to get that out of the way and hopefully win a couple of caps.
“Now I will return home, sit down with my representatives and take it from there.
“I wasn’t in a rush to make any decision until now. It was all about winning my first cap and enjoying my first international experience.”
Luongo ‘could play for Barcelona or Man City’
Ian Holloway has told beIN Sports Australia he believes QPR midfielder Massimo Luongo can reach the highest level and is among the best players he has worked with.
Luongo has been included in Australia’s squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
In an interview recorded prior to his recent sacking as Rangers manager, Holloway said: “I believe, now I have worked with him, that he could play for Barcelona. I believe he could play for Man City.
“We are not the same team without him. I honestly believe he is as good a player as I’ve ever had in my career so far.”
Stones friendly arranged
Wealdstone will play National League side Bromley in a pre-season friendly at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday, July 28.
The game will be combined with the club’s Meet The Players Day.
Fans are invited to watch an open training session between 12.30pm and 2pm and then meet the squad before and after the match.
