Chelsea transfer ban lifted: Five players Lampard could sign in January including Chilwell and Sancho
CHELSEA look set to splash the cash in January after having their transfer ban overturned. The Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted an appeal from the London giants over signing players. The defence and attacking positions are likely to be the priority for boss Frank Lampard, who will be hoping to push Chelsea into […]
CHELSEA look set to splash the cash in January after having their transfer ban overturned.
The Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted an appeal from the London giants over signing players.
The defence and attacking positions are likely to be the priority for boss Frank Lampard, who will be hoping to push Chelsea into title contention if not this year, then next.
Here, SunSport checks out FIVE players Frank Lampard could bring to the club.
Ben Chilwell
Set to be England’s first-choice left-back at the European Championships next summer, the Leicester defender has shone this season.
His form has helped push the Foxes well and truly into title contention.
Lampard is almost certain to have targeted that position as “must improve”.
Marcos Alonso has completely gone off the boil, while Emerson Palmieri is decent attacking, but his positioning leaves A LOT to be desired.
Chilwell would offer the full package – solid facing up to wingers while highly likely to chip in with assists throughout the season.
But it would take a huge offer to tempt Leicester to sell in January, particularly with the Foxes flying this term.
Wilfried Zaha
The Crystal Palace winger was believed to have told his club in the summer that he wanted to move for Champions League football.
After a miserable spell at Manchester United, the Ivory Coast international has that desire to be back playing at Europe’s highest level.
Chelsea is believed to be the likely destination for Zaha, with the Blues pushing for the top four and a move unlikely to disrupt his home life.
It was even reported that Chelsea “held talks” with Zaha’s agent ahead of a summer move – but could that happen even sooner now?
Jadon Sancho
The winger has been constantly linked with a return to England ever since Borussia Dortmund signed him.
After getting frustrated with his development at Manchester City, the teenager made the switch to the Bundesliga – and has shone.
But this season there have been rumours of being late for team meetings and more recently he was dropped for the Champions League clash away at Barcelona.
If Sancho decides he has had enough at Dortmund, Chelsea are sure to re-affirm their interest in one of the world’s brightest talents.
But rivals Manchester United and Liverpool are likely to show their cards too.
Benoit Badiashile
Lampard has opted to give youth a chance this season, including in the back line.
Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori have been his preferred centre-half combination, but in the last few games some serious questions have been asked.
It even led to Tomori being dropped for the 2-1 at Aston Villa.
One player who is earning rave reviews in Europe is Monaco prodigy Benoit Badiashile.
But at 18-years-old, he doesn’t offer the kind of experience Lampard probably needs at the heart of the defence.
But to try and get that, the gaffer might have to wait until the summer – so Badiashile could make up the numbers until then.
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Calum Wilson
Tammy Abraham is undoubtedly the first choice striker for Lampard.
But with Michy Batshauyi seemingly not trusted as the back-up and Olivier Giroud hardly getting a sniff, a striker will surely be the priority.
Wilson has been a revelation at Bournemouth, even earning four England caps in the process.
Bournemouth are struggling at the moment, having lost their last five Premier League games.
And with Premier League clubs looking for managers, inevitably Cherries gaffer Eddie Howe will be linked with a move away.
But so will Wilson in January, with the 26-year-old desperate to solidify his spot in the England squad ahead of the European Championships.