Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says manager Carlo Ancelotti is very similar to last season's coach Guus Hiddink.

Hiddink was installed as temporary manager following the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari last year and many players had been keen to see the Dutchman stay at the club but he chose to return to Russia instead.

Lampard believes the two managers are very similar in their approach and reckons that is one of the reasons for Chelsea's successful first half of the campaign.

"Ancelotti and Hiddink are similar. They are very easy to work for. He (Ancelotti) is very relaxed around the training ground and on matchdays even," the former West Ham midfielder said.

"They are very tactically aware. They are both very enjoyable to work for.

"The transition has been seamless. He has changed the formation and the way we play but the way he has worked with the players has left everyone comfortable and with the squad we have if everyone is comfortable then we are going to play our best football."