Kids can save Ed
Top signing will just fire up my Blues says Lamps
FRANK LAMPARD knows from experience the impact a marquee signing can have on a dressing room.
And the Chelsea boss insists his squad will rise to the challenge if the club decides to splash out next month.
Lampard has been given the green light to add to his team after the Blues’ transfer ban was lifted ahead of the January window.
He is believed to have a £150m budget at his disposal – and Chelsea have been linked with possible moves for Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, 22, and Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, 27.
Lampard insists he is happy with his current squad, but admits he would not pass up the chance to strengthen the competition among his players.
And he recalls from his playing days at Stamford Bridge how a high-profile swoop can fire up a group.
Lampard, whose Bournemouth today, found it a negative.
“I remember when the club made serious signings and when I say serious, I mean big-money signings.
“I remember when Fernando Torres came to the club and it was a statement signing. They were always exciting. They side said: “I host never might not have been to the other centre-forwards but when you are a player at a club and want to be successful and push and push, I think you do get excited by players coming in.
“And on the flip of that, if you are that centre-forward, then it has to drive you to react.
“I always think it’s healthy and par for the course at a club like Chelsea.
“You shouldn’t expect it to be any other way. It keeps you on your toes.”
The seamless transition of youngsters Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori into the first team this season has helped the club overcome a summer transfer ban imposed for breaches of regulations related to transfers involving youngsters.
Lampard added: “If I start to look at where I can strengthen the squad it’s certainly not going to be a slight on the young players.
“I push them and drive them if I can in training because I think they need that. But I do think they feel the trust I have in them.
“They all know I’m prepared to give them the opportunities and chances if they train well and they come in the team and play well.” (right)
EDDIE HOWE has challenged his Bournemouth kids to dig the club out of their injury crisis.
They will be without first-choice defenders Nathan Ake, Steve Cook and Adam Smith at Chelsea today.
Striker Callum Wilson will also miss out with a hamstring problem.
Boss Howe said: “We are in a difficult moment. We are stretched defensively.
“To lose Steve and Nathan, who have been brilliant for us in the middle, is a big blow and Adam as well who has been so consistent.
“They are big players but we still believe in the players we have. We have a mix of youth and experience and they have to step up.
“It is a great opportunity for the younger players, for people to prove they are good enough. We are crying out for that.
“I’ve never looked at age as a limiting factor. It is all about ability.
“There have been one or two good performances from the younger players this week and long may that continue.
“People like Jack Simpson, Jack Stacey, Chris Mepham have a really good chance to stay in the team.”