Izzy Christiansen has thrown Frank Lampard's name into the mix to replace Emma Hayes at Chelsea.

Legendary Blues boss Hayes, 47, will leave the Women's Super League champions in the summer after a glorious 12-year stint to take charge of the United States women's team. 

Casey Stoney and Laura Harvey have been linked with the job but former England star Christiansen would like to see Chelsea give one of their club legends a call instead.

Speaking to LiveScore, the Sky Sports pundit said: "I do have a name in mind but I've never heard anyone throw it out there... Frank Lampard.

"He's somebody who knows the club inside out. From my experiences at Everton, listening to him speak, he's the right type of character.

"His level of communication and knowledge of the game could be really effective and I think you've got someone well accustomed with what it means to be Chelsea.

"I don't have any knowledge on whether he'd want it or not but it makes sense to me."

It has been suggested that some Blues stars would prefer a woman to replace Hayes. 

But Christiansen, 32, said: "To be honest, I sit in a party where it doesn't have to be a female, doesn't have to be a male — it just needs to be the right person for the job.

"There's no gain in Chelsea going, 'Right, let's pigeonhole this, it has to be a female'.

"If they want to continue or attempt to continue the dominance they've had domestically, it has to be the correct appointment."

Everton struggles

Chelsea host Everton on Sunday as they continue their pursuit of a staggering FIFTH successive WSL title. 

And Christiansen is not convinced her old side will be able to stop the all-conquering juggernaut at Kingsmeadow. 

The ex-Toffees ace said: "Look at the players who have departed the club within the last 12 months. 

"Jess Park, Aggie Beever-Jones, Gabby George, Nathalie Bjorn, Nicoline Sorensen, Rikke Sevecke and myself.

"Without blowing my own trumpet, those were seven tremendous footballers and trainers who contributed towards a strong training environment.

"I think the replacements who have come in are, in black and white, not at that level — so that becomes a huge challenge.

"I've always said to push barriers in the WSL your training environment has to surpass the demands of a WSL fixture to get closer to the top teams.

"The result against Leicester last weekend [a 1-0 home loss] wasn't great. I thought they'd probably win that game but they didn't.

"Now it looks a bit tough for them to kick on again this season but hopefully they can do it."

As for hatching a plan to beat the champions, Christiansen knows it may be mission impossible but she has called on Brian Sorensen's players to have fire in their bellies. 

She added: "I think the way forward against Chelsea is to be more aggressive. 

"How they do it, I'm not so sure. But they have to make a real effort to get tight all over the pitch and outwork their opponents.

"However you look at it, it's going to be a tough ask."