Lampard sets out demands to Abraham ahead of Werner arrival at Chelsea

Frank Lampard has told Tammy Abraham he must “sustain and improve” on his standards of this season ahead of the arrival of Timo Werner.

Academy graduate Abraham has taken his first chance to be Chelsea’s main striker this season. With 13 Premier League goals, he has been the Blues’ top scorer in 2019-20.

However, Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner in the summer. The German international has an astonishing 32 goals in all competitions this season, meaning Abraham faces a tough battle to be first choice again next year.

Manager Lampard has revealed that he has already spoken to Abraham about having someone fighting for his place. And the former Blues midfielder insists the extra competition is essential to their chances of being successful.

“I’ve spoken to Tammy before about the idea of competition,” said Lampard. “And I don’t feel the need to have to address every player, if a player comes that might contest a position at a club like Chelsea, because that’s what its about.

“It has been about that in its most successful years in the Roman Abramovich era. And Tammy obviously had a very good season for us this season.

“He has to sustain and improve on that because at Chelsea we have demands.

“I am happy to have options and we have options in forward areas and we must have competition for places. So I am pleased with the idea of that.”

 

 

Lampard followed Werner since before appointment

Lampard was unable to spend during his first summer in charge of Chelsea due to a transfer ban. Even though that ban was lifted in January, the Blues did not make any signings in the winter, either.

Consequently, Chelsea have given youth a chance, with Abraham one of the players to benefit. Despite that formula being relatively successful, Chelsea have since made a strong statement ahead of the summer transfer window by signing both Werner and Hakim Ziyech.

And Lampard has revealed that he has tracked Werner for a long time – even before he returned to Stamford Bridge as manager.

“Timo is clearly a player that we liked,” he added. “I certainly followed him myself for a long time individually just as a talented player before I had this job.

“He’s got huge talent, had a fantastic season this year but before that as well.

“Where we couldn’t do as much business in the last couple of windows for whatever reasons, it has given us a chance to see some youth have more time in the team, but we were very clear we want to improve.

“Timo Werner is a signing we feel will improve us. I’m very excited to have him playing for Chelsea.”