Chelsea ‘must shell out £5m’ to sign 19-year-old Derby midfielder Max Bird

Chelsea will have to pay £5million if they want to sign 19-year-old Derby midfielder Max Bird, who impressed Blues boss Frank Lampard when he was manager of the Championship club.

Bird was given his league debut by Lampard in December 2018, and the Rams academy graduate has gone on to make 27 appearances for the first team. 

The teenager was a regular goalscorer in Derby’s youth teams, but has operated in a more defensive role this term under current Rams boss Phillip Cocu, complementing January signing Wayne Rooney.

19-year-old Derby midfielder Max Bird has caught the eye of Chelsea manager Frank Lampard

Bird impressed both Lampard and assistant Jody Morris in 2018-19, interacting with Chelsea loanees Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori.

Now Derby have told Blues they will not sell Bird for less than £5m, according to Football Insider. 

‘He stands out as a young man,’ Lampard told reporters at the end of last season. 

Lampard gave Bird his Rams league debut in 2018, handing him eight appearances in total

He is very polite with everyone, has a real desire to improve and he’s a good team-mate,’ said Lampard when asked about Bird at the end of last season.

‘Whether it has been for the youth teams or when he has been with the first team, he is an all-rounder.

‘I have found him to be a great lad and our relationship is really good. I’d be pleased for him as an individual.’