Lampard: Lack of signings leaves Chelsea as underdogs
Frank Lampard has claimed that Chelsea have made themselves underdogs in the top-four race by failing to sign any of his targets in the January transfer window, despite having their Fifa ban reduced.
While Lampard has seen all his team’s rivals strengthen their squads, Chelsea could not land a significant signing before the transfer deadline passed last night.
A late move for Napoli forward Dries Mertens failed, while Chelsea also missed out on Paris St-germain striker Edinson Cavani.
Lampard, worried Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and even Sheffield United may have stolen a march on them, said: “This is not to talk down ourselves, because we’re six points clear in fourth, but now we’ve probably become the underdogs and the outsiders because the teams around us have strengthened. It’s a fact.”
Despite the lack of additions to his squad, Lampard is determined to stay upbeat and ready to push his rivals hard to stay in the top four.
“I have to be the first person who remains positive, no matter what, and I have to be truthful when I speak,” said the Chelsea manager.
“We know that recruitment is huge for a team that wants to be successful. Look no further than
Liverpool and Manchester City in recent years. But people will get bored if I keep crying about that fact. I have to work. The players have to work.
“At the start of the season a lot of fans, a lot of pundits, nobody had us in their top four. But the reality is that now we’re in fourth and it’s going to be a real big fight. We have to be up for that challenge. Young, middle, more experienced players. But the first person that’s up for that is me.”
Lampard’s frustration is understandable. United have spent £46.6million on Bruno Fernandes, Tottenham have signed Steven Bergwijn and Gedson Fernandes, while offloading Christian Eriksen and Danny Rose, and Sheffield
United spent £22 million on midfielder Sander Berge.
“Every time I look at the TV another player signs for a club, that’s the transfer window,” said Lampard. “I look at Manchester United obviously signing a big, big player, a world-class player. Sheffield United have made fantastic signings and Chris Wilder’s job is incredible because he’s had years to work that group, and now they’re adding where he sees fit.”
Chelsea could not sign players last summer because of their ban, but managed to cut it short in time for January in an attempt to build on their encouraging first half of the season, which saw Lampard’s young side build a six-point cushion in fourth and progress in the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Other than strikers, Lampard had hoped to sign a wide man and had looked at his defensive options with a move to re-sign Nathan Ake considered. But Chelsea instead kept hold of Pedro Rodriguez and Willian, who only have six months left on their contracts, and could not agree a deal for Marcos Alonso to switch to Inter Milan. Olivier Giroud was denied a move away.
Chelsea, who turned down the chance to sign Salomon Rondon on loan in the final hours of the window face Leicester City this lunchtime when Lampard could be forced to take a risk on Tammy Abraham’s ankle injury.