Chelsea are well and truly busy in the transfer window as they continue to rope in another priority signing Kai Havertz into the squad. As the squad size increases, the chances of players leaving multiplies as well.
However, Lampard can enjoy one perk of such a huge squad size, i.e. depth. The English manager has trained the youngsters to step up when needed and have stalwarts like N’golo Kante to harmonize with them in the midfield.
One player, though, who has fallen out of harmony is former Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa Arrizabagala. Though the staff behind the manager have come to terms with the Spaniard, Lampard may have other opinions. In fact, pundits, too, believe, selling him may be an uphill battle for Frank.
THE CAT-AND-MOUSE GAME: Craig Burley, the former Chelsea midfielder has expressed his doubts over Kepa’s departure. He feels it is almost impossible for the club to expect they can get back the money invested in his transfer. The Blues had smashed their transfer record, bringing him in for £72 million.
He feels the board already knew that the recovery was impossible and thus wanted to cajole Lampard to “change his mind”. However, in spite of opportunities given to Kepa, he failed to deliver – turning the tables as a result.
“There’s a real game of cat and mouse between not only Lampard and his owners, but his owners and other clubs”, Burley told ESPN FC. Either Lampard will have the board by his side, or meet the same fate as Conte in the process remains to be seen.