Will Derby County become a Chelsea feeder club under Frank Lampard?

Arnhem is a city of about 150,000 people, in the Dutch midlands, which often escapes the tourist influx to the Netherlands.

Its main industry is probably motor engineering, but the tale of the city cannot be told without reference to the history of coal mining.

Though, in recent years, there have been attempts to diversify the economy into higher value produce. Including footballers.

Chelsea's link-up with Vitesse began almost a decade ago: when the club was bought by Georgian businessman Merab Jordania, a close associate of Roman Abramovich.

Over the years, the Eredivisie club has happily taken a series of Chelsea youngsters on loan.

The reasons for parking players there have varied for the Blues. But the list of name has included: Gael Kakuta, Patrick van Aanholt and Bertrand Traore.

The problem is that the GelreDome has become a sort of byword for Chelsea's underachievement in bringing through young players.

The reasons for that are complex: some of those sent out there never really had a chance of progression with their parent club.

Vitesse have done reasonably well out of it, gradually climbing in status within Dutch football; but Chelsea are yet to record any real returns on the deal.

Though sources form the Netherlands insist that 19-year-old Englishman Mason Mount, one of those among this last season's crop, is the best talent they have seen through the link over all that time.

Vitesse is also the place where Leonid Slutsky does his football management: suspected by many as being the potential new Guus Hiddink for Blues, should they find themselves again in Luiz Felipe Scolari-type waters.

Switch to another city: this one in the English midlands; reliant on motor engineering (more trains than cars, here); and a long association with nearby coalfields. Could Derby be Chelsea's new Arnhem?

Frank Lampard's recent round of job interviews ended at Pride Park: and his first ever managerial job, with the Championship side.

Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer is untried as a boss: though many commented that his choice of this posting (rather, say, than the recent managerial appointment at Glasgow Rangers), showed a willingness to work his way up in the game.

Lampard is known in football for his intelligence and common sense. He is trusted implicitly by those who run Chelsea, a factor that could be crucial in allowing a prospective relationship with Derby to prosper.

And the appointment of fellow former team-mate Jody Morris as his deputy is a bit of a masterstroke.

Morris has the experience Lampard lacks: yes, just a couple of seasons as boss of Chelsea's Under 18s; but with the contacts and day-to-day coaching background that can often be vital in making these things succeed.

Chelsea have tried settling young talent with former coaches before. Notably, the pairing of Josh McEachran and Charly Musonda with Brendan Rodgers at Swansea, and then Celtic, failed.

But the level-headedness of Lampard, and the closer link Morris has with that existing youth side, means hopes are high.

Which is not to say this is merely a case of sending the former midfield pair on-loan to Derby: they are trying to forge out a new career here. Neither is a Chelsea stooge: both are their own men.

But, as Chelsea voices have made clear: Derby in the Championship is seen as a far more promising proving ground for Premier League potential, than a team which finished seventh last year in the much derided Eredivisie.

There is no list of loanees yet, but watch this space.