Former Chelsea star Ashley Cole is delighted for his ex-teammate Frank Lampard's success as manager.

Even though the Blues had a rocky first few matches under Lampard, they have stabilized and are one of the favorites to clinch a top four position this season.

And Cole believes that it is fantastic to see how Lampard has adapted to life at the Stamford Bridge club as manager, while adjusting the play style and integrating young players as well.

"I'm delighted," he told reporters.

"I was lucky enough to work with him at Derby County before he came here and I knew how good he could be.

"He's obviously come here and changed a few things, brought his own philosophy here, the way he wants to play. I think the team has done brilliantly so far, so no, no surprise how good he's done.

"The youth players have been great. A lot of people were probably saying he had no choice to play them, but I think he knows if they weren't good enough he wouldn't play them.

"But they've been brilliant, they've adapted well from playing in the Championship as most of them did last season and I think they are the driving force of this team at the minute."