Jerome: "It's Exciting Times"

Cameron Jerome believes that it's an exciting time to be a Derby County player as the club prepare to move forward under new manager Frank Lampard.

Lampard signed a three-year deal at Pride Park Stadium last week to take his first steps into management after he ended his illustrious 21-year playing career in February 2017.

Jerome praised the "bold" decision made by Executive Chairman Mel Morris, CBE, and he's expecting his former rival on the pitch to provide something new.

Speaking exclusively to dcfc.co.uk, Jerome said: “It’s a bold appointment by the chairman, it’s a statement of intent and it’s a big turning point in the club’s future.

“Appointing a young manager bodes well in terms of new ideas and new identity. I’ve been reading through clippings from his press conference and it seems like he has a lot of clarity in the way he wants to play.

“It’s exciting times.”

Lampard stated at his opening press conference that he hopes to bring an "aggressive" style of play and Jerome is confident that the new manager will be able to implement an attractive brand of football that will convert to positive results.

Jerome believes that Lampard’s own vision of the game, paired with the experience he had playing under the likes of Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, bodes well for the Rams.

“The style of football he has played, under the managers that he has played for, I'm sure he has picked up one or two things and valuable experience,” said Jerome.

“Adding that to his own ideas and methods, as well as the way he sees football and the way he wants it to be played, I’m hoping that it’s going to be exciting football that we will be playing.”

Jerome and Lampard are old foes having faced each other numerous times in the Premier League while Lampard was at Chelsea and Jerome was plying his trade at Birmingham City, Stoke City and Crystal Palace.

The former England international’s stellar reputation throughout his playing career will carry through to his next role, insists Jerome.

He said: “He was exceptional, second to none. He’s one of the best midfielders the country has ever seen, he has had such a decorated career.

“I’m sure having played at such a high standard for so long and having the recognition worldwide as a player, he is going to cut his teeth in management in the same way he did as a player.

“From what you hear about how dedicated he was as a young player at West Ham and the hard work that went in to make his breakthrough shows his exceptional work ethic.”

As he prepares for his first full season at Pride Park, Jerome understands that it is a fresh start and everyone has an equal opportunity to impress.

Derby’s players will report back for pre-season training at the end of June to begin preparations for the 2018/19 campaign.

He added: “It’s a clean slate for everybody involved, you want to make a good impression on every manager and this is no different.

“It’s up to you to earn your way into the team again.”