Chelsea transfer news: Lampard confirms club don’t need to sell to buy in January

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:45 CDT
• 2 min read

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has revealed that club will be active in the January transfer window as they attempt to add “balance” to their squad.

After being under a transfer ban last season, Chelsea made up for lost time in the summer of 2020, spending in excess of £220m on new recruits including Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, and Edouard Mendy.

The influx of stars meant that the squad became top heavy in some areas, meaning that exits were always likely in January.

Danny Drinkwater has already moved to Turkish side Kasimpasa, while defender, while defender Fikayo Tomori is on the cusp of a loan to Milan with the option to buy.

Lampard discussed the departures of those two on Monday, and suggested that the club don’t need to allow for players to be sold in order to bring others in.

Chelsea transfers 2020/21:

“In terms of players, I think it is great for Danny to leave and go and play for himself to try and get some games,” he said.

“With Fikayo, we will see.  

“I am not concerned with getting players out to bring some in at this point. I am trying to make sure the balance of the squad is right and if players do move on then that’s beneficial for them and our squad, I see that as a positive.”

Addressing Tomori’s exit, Lampard said the player was ultimately unfortunate not to be given more opportunities at Stamford Bridge.

“As a squad we had four centre-backs last year, and you can’t play four in one game,” the Chelsea boss explained.

“And you try to find consistency at different times. At one point Fikayo was in that, and then later on not so much.

“And this year we have five centre-backs, so the predicament is difficult for centre-backs who are not playing regularly.

“And that’s why he may go out on loan for his development, he’s a young player and he’s had a huge rise in the last two or so seasons since I’ve been working with him, and that will continue, and we’ll find the best path for that.”

Two other players who could be heading for the exit at Chelsea are Marcos Alonso and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The Blues are currently on a poor run of form and sit seventh in the Premier League.