We will look to replace Eden Hazard in January, claims Frank Lampard
Chelsea will try to replace the creativity and goalscoring of Eden Hazard in the upcoming transfer window, according to manager Frank Lampard. Since the transfer ban being lifted, the Blues have been linked to a number of high profile players like Wilfried Zaha, Jadon Sancho and Ousmane Dembele.
Hazard made a multi-million move to Real Madrid in the summer in a deal that could go as high as a £150 million. However, while Frank Lampard and company have done relatively well to adjust in the Belgian's absence, they still miss that mercurial presence. But now with the club discovering last week that their appeal over their FIFA transfer ban was successful and reduced their ban to one window, it allows the club to spend heavily in January. That's exactly what they are going to do with reports indicating that manager Lampard will have £150 million to spend in January.
Not only that, in an interview with BBC, Lampard went on to admit that Chelsea ace Eden Hazard’s goals and creativity need to be replaced and Chelsea will enter the January transfer window with the sole intention to replace the Belgian star. The London club wants to buy a winger and Wilfried Zaha, Ousmane Dembele and Jadon Sancho are the names being linked to Stamford Bridge.
“There will be discussions about where we can strengthen. The transfer window will be a bit fluid. It is quite clear in the summer we lost Eden Hazard who has been a huge part of scoring and creating for us in the last few seasons. We need more competition in those creative areas,” said Lampard to the BBC.
Hazard, who scored 110 goals in 352 games for Chelsea, left for Real Madrid in the summer for an initial ÂŁ89 million in a deal which could rise to more than ÂŁ150 million. Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League and finished second in their Champions League group behind Valencia - conceding 33 goals in 22 games in those competitions so far. Chelsea won their last group game 2-1 against LOSC Lille at Stamford Bridge.
“We have found a way in the team where we can still be competitive in the league and the Champions League and going forward you ask 'can we get even better in forward areas to help us to be more clinical?' We would always look at that. At the moment we are just not converting enough chances but we are a work in progress and I am not here to criticise people because we have just qualified from a really tough group,” concluded Lampard.