George Aluo
Chelsea may be having a good run at the moment after landing in the last 16 of the UEFA champions league, but the club’s manager, Frank Lampard, wants to strengthen the team during the January transfer window.
The coach may be getting all the cash he needs to sign on a few new players according to reports coming out of Stamford Bridge.
Reports have suggested that the Blues are considering a club record bid of £100m about (N460m) for Borussia Dortmund and England teenager, Jadon Sancho, who is looking to leave Dortmund.
The 19-year-old, according to pundits, would certainly fit into what Lampard wants upfront.
It would be noted that Lampard had after the 2-1 victory over Lille last week in the UEFA Champions League final group game, pointed out that he needs a replacement for Eden Hazard, who dumped the club for Real Madrid at the end of last season.
Goals from Tammy Abraham and Cesar Azpilicueta gave the Blues the maximum points needed against Lille to progress in the money spinning champions league.
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Though Lampard got what they needed against the French side, it did not stop him confirming that he is planning to improve the squad next month.
The Chelsea boss was asked about potential January targets and he was clear that he is still looking to replace the goals that Hazard provided. ‘I think it will be a bit fluid and discussions will be ongoing from now about where we can strengthen. ‘Of course, with Eden leaving we lost a lot of goals and creation in that particular position.
Hazard left the club for Real Madrid over the summer after scoring 110 goals in 352 games for Chelsea. Christian Pulisic has arrived in his place, but Lampard admits that he needs to find more sources of goals in the first team. Tammy Abraham is comfortably the top scorer for the Blues this season after he netted his 13th of the season against Lille, with Pulisic lagging behind in second in their scoring charts with six in all competitions.
Lampard’s comments after the Lille victory to a large extent confirms that Chelsea would go for the immensely talented Sancho irrespective of what it would cost the club.
Meanwhile, the trio of Marcos Alonso, Olivier Giroud and Pedro could all be set for January exits, according to reports. Chelsea have been given the all clear to sign players in the winter window after the Blues were successful in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reduce their transfer ban.
Goal claim three first-team regulars are eager to leave the club after falling out of favour under Lampard.
Alonso has not been included in Chelsea’s last five Premier League matchday squads and is a target for Inter boss Antonio Conte. The Spanish full-back has grown unhappy at Chelsea, but Inter might struggle to lure him away from Stamford Bridge due to the £100,000-a-week wages he currently earns.
Giroud and Pedro are in a similar situation to Alonso. The attacking duo have managed just nine appearances in the Premier League this season between them. With both their contracts expiring next summer, Giroud and Pedro will be free to speak to other clubs in January about a free transfer in the summer.
Pedro has been tipped for a move to America, while Giroud has been linked with a number of clubs in Italy and the MLS. Giroud plays second fiddle to youngster Tammy Abraham and has started just two league games. The Frenchman is keen for more game time with the European Championships next summer. Chelsea are believed to be open to Giroud leaving in January, if a club meets their £5 million asking price.