Chelsea hand Lampard whopping January budget as four names linked

Chelsea have given Frank Lampard £150m to spend in January with boss Frank Lampard targeting additions throughout his team, according to a report.

The Blues are free to re-enter the transfer market in 2020 after the Court of Arbitration halved the club’s two-window transfer ban, ruling that their restriction on summer signings was the end of their punishment.

Lampard has thrived without the ability to sign new players so far this season, with academy graduates Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham forming a solid spine.

However, according to The Telegraph, Lampard insists that new additions are needed and is set to try and make signings in the winter window.

The newspaper says that strikers, wide players, a full-back and a centre-back are all on Lampard‘s radar.

It is claimed that Lyon forward Moussa Dembele and Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, as well as Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho are all being considered.

As for defensive additions, Chelsea reportedly want Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell, although a deal is unlikely to be happen in January.

Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake is an option too, given that the Blues can buy the Netherlands centre-back back for £40m.

Despite the number of names being mentioned, The Telegraph insists that Lampard wants to keep his mix of homegrown and academy talent while infusing other more experienced players from across Europe.

The newspaper says that the £150m has been allocated following the departures of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid and David Luiz to Arsenal, as well as the £58m that is due from Atletico Madrid for Alvaro Morata.

 

 

Chelsea recovered from a 1-0 defeat to West Ham last weekend to win 2-1 against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Abraham netted his 11th Premier League goal of the season to keep up the pressure on Jamie Vardy, while Mason Mount’s second-half strike sealed the three points.

Looking ahead, Chelsea face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, with Duncan Ferguson set to take charge of the Toffees for the game as they look for a permanent successor to Marco Silva.