Lampard expects verdict on Chelsea appeal over Fifa-imposed transfer ban ‘very soon’
Frank Lampard expects to find out “very soon” whether Chelsea will be free to make any signings next month.
Chelsea expect to learn in the coming days the verdict of their appeal against a transfer ban imposed by world governing body Fifa.
The Premier League club’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was heard last month, with the Blues contesting Fifa’s two-window ban relating to the signing of overseas youth players.
“Very soon I believe,” Lampard replied when asked if he expects an announcement to discover the result of that appeal. “Days, I think.”
Lampard did not reveal if the club were pursuing any targets in anticipation of the ban being lifted.
“I haven’t heard any more, so I would wait and reserve judgement until we get the judgement and see where we want to go from there,” he said.
More pressingly, the Chelsea manager said he would give top scorer Tammy Abraham “every possible chance” to face Aston Villa as the England striker recovers from a hip injury. Lampard admitted the 22-yearold, who has scored 10 Premier League goals this season, is still battling pain from the problem he picked up in the 2-2 Champions League draw at Valencia.
“He’s still got some pain in the area of the injury, [we will] make a judgement tomorrow,” Lampard said.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said the season “is a marathon, not a sprint” as speculation grows about the Austrian’s future with the club mired in relegation trouble.
Saints face fellow strugglers Norwich City tonight one place and a solitary point above the promoted Canaries in 18th place. “It is a marathon, not a sprint and we know how to handle it,” Hasenhuttl said when asked if he was feeling any pressure to save his job.
Southampton sacked former manager Mark Hughes exactly a year ago with the club in the same position they are in now. “I knew the job I’d take on wasn’t the easiest one because of our limitations. We have a special way of developing young players ... That takes time,” he said.
A much-needed win for Hasenhuttl’s squad over bottom-club Watford ended a poor run of eight games without a win to give them 12 points from 14 matches.
“The way we showed how committed we are in the last few weeks is special and a signal that it was absolutely right to come here.”