Chelsea transfer news: Lampard insists Blues “need” to strengthen squad this month

Frank Lampard appeared to send a message to the Chelsea hierarchy after his team’s 2-1 win over Hull City by calling on the club to make signings this month after losing ground to their rivals in the summer.

Aside from Mateo Kovačić, who was registered with the club last season during a loan spell, Lampard was unable to make any additions to his squad during the 2019 summer window due to the club’s 12-month transfer ban from Fifa.

That ban has subsequently been reduced enabling Chelsea to buy players during the transfer window but, despite being linked with plenty of big names, no new incomings have been forthcoming thus far as the Blues look to secure a top-four finish.

Lampard’s men are currently 1/2* to retain a Champions League place, but can scarcely afford to take their eye off the bail during the second half of the season.

*Odds provided by William Hill. You have to be 18+ to gamble. For more information, go to BeGambleAware.org

Lampard calls for new recruits: Five things to know

• Speaking after Chelsea’s 2-1 FA Cup win against Hull City on Saturday, Lampard hinted that the Blues need to make new signings this month.
• Lampard also commented on Eden Hazard’s departure to Real Madrid, highlighting his inability to repalce the Belgian.
• Chelsea have been linked with a move for PSG striker Edinson Cavani as a possible replacement for Olivier Giroud, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge month.
• Other players reportedly on Chelsea’s radar are Lyon forward Moussa Dembélé and Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumaré. Danny Drinkwater, Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher, meanwhile, have all been loaned out.
• Although Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League, they have won only two of their previous six matches, drawing 2-2 against Arsenal last time out.

Chelsea edged past Championship side Hull City in the FA Cup at the KCOM Stadium with goals from Michy Batshuayi and Fikayo Tomori helping Kamil Grosicki’s free-kick to go down as little more than a consolation.

Despite seeing his rotated team progress to the FA Cup 5th round, though, Lampard didn’t seem particularly happy at full-time, using his post-match interview as an opportunity to call for new recruits.

When asked whether Chelsea had made any progress in the transfer market, Lampard responded: ‘There’s no movement to speak of now.

“It’s clear that we got a punishment in the summer for right or for wrong where we couldn’t bring in players and the punishment is meant to hurt you.

“And we lost certainly one of our biggest players [Eden Hazard] in our history for what he did for this club over the last six or seven years whatever it is.

“My job, I suppose is to work everyday on the training ground, can we get better and to drive that. Then the other part is how do we move forward by bringing in players and we lost ground in the summer.

“So yeah we’re trying to now, we need to now for the short term to push for this top four. I think it’s clear I have a strong feeling where we can improve personnel-wise to take us going forward.”

Tammy Abraham injury highlights Chelsea’s striker shortage

High on Lampard’s priority list is likely to be a striker, particularly after top-scorer Tammy Abraham suffered a nasty injury against Arsenal after crashing into advertising hoardings.

Although Abraham’s injury isn’t expected to keep him out of action for too long, there are question marks over the ability of his back-up Batshuayi to step up while Giroud is widely expected to leave for pastures new.

PSG striker Cavani is one of several forwards to be linked with a move to west London, but with the transfer deadline now just days away, Lampard and the Chelsea hierarchy must move quickly if they are bolster their options.