Blues look to fill Hazard gap

– Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, below, hinted he could dip into the transfer market next month to strengthen his attacking options after they secured their place in the Champions League last-16.

The club’s Fifa-imposed transfer ban was reduced on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week, meaning they are free to sign players again.

Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Lille, courtesy of goals form Tammy Abraham and Cesar Azpilicueta, sent the Blues through as runners-up to Valencia but Lampard bemoaned his side’s poor chance-conversion rate.

The victory followed a run of just one win from five matches in all competitions, including a 3-1 defeat to struggling Everton last weekend, after a bright start to the season.

Jadon Sancho and Wilfried Zaha have been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge and Lampard is considering his options.

“I will look at all areas of the team but think it was quite clear that Eden Hazard was a huge part of scoring or creating our goals,” he said. “I think we’ve found ways as a team where we can still be competitive.

“But going forward we’re looking at if we can get better. Can we get better in forward areas to help the idea of being more clinical? Then we’ll always look at that.”

Lampard said he was “calm” about the transfer window.

“We are improving. Even the little bumps during the last two weeks are part of the process and we don’t see so much in January that you can do great business.

“If it is there to be done and it feels like it is right for the club, that is a conversation for me and upstairs.”

The draw for the Champions League round of 16 will take place on Monday and Chelsea could face old manager Maurizio Sarri, now in charge of Juventus. Other possible opponents include Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and RB Leipzig. – AFP