Lampard ready to offload eight stars in massive Chelsea overhaul

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is reportedly keen to offload eight players in the upcoming summer transfer window, after watching his side get humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The Blues were thrashed 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, leaving Lampard a harsh reality that he will need some massive upgrades to his squad to compete at the very top level.

Chelsea have already signed winger Hakim Ziyech from Ajax, while Lampard is also said to be chasing Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell and RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano amongst others – although he will have to sell first.

Having been under a transfer ban for two windows, Chelsea were widely expected to spend big in January but despite getting their ban overturned, the Stamford Bridge outfit did not bring in a single player.

The decision not to sign anyone in January has had a hugely detrimental effect on the first team, with the Blues now even being tipped to potentially drop out of the top four altogether, with Manchester United’s form improving and Spurs and Sheffield United only four points adrift.

As for the players potentially heading for the exit door, Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to be the most high-profile departure – with Lampard unhappy with the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, having recently replaced him in the line-up with veteran stopper Willy Caballero.

The same report from The Sun states that Kepa could be used in a swap deal for Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak.

Lampard is also looking for a new frontman, with Inter Milan target Olivier Giroud expected to move on this summer, while the report adds that Ross Barkley, Jorginho, Kurt Zouma, Willian, Pedro and Marcos Alonso could also be sold.

Willian and Pedro are not great surprises, given their respective ages and Lampard wanting to inject his squad with more youth, while Barkley, Zouma and Alonso have all failed to earn regular spots in Chelsea’s first-choice starting XI.

Jorginho’s possible exit is somewhat surprising though, with the Italy international an influential figure at Stamford Bridge, although Lampard will likely look to restore Ngolo Kante to the defensive midfield role where he made his name in Leicester’s title-winning team – leaving Jorginho on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, QPR director of football Les Ferdinand has seemingly given Tottenham and Chelsea hope of landing a top attacking talent this summer.

Spurs are keeping a close eye on events at Loftus Road this season, especially with young duo Jack Clarke and Luke Amos on loan at Rangers, but it is Eberechi Eze who is attracting the most attention.

The attacking midfielder has made a massive impression in the Championship since making his debut back in January 2017, and it would appear that he is destined for the Premier League.