Chelsea are already set to bring in a new face this summer when Hakim Ziyech completes his transfer from Ajax but, having not signed anyone in his first two transfer windows, Frank Lampard has been linked with further bolstering his options. The difficulty though is the fact clubs are facing tough financial decisions over the next few months due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Transfer plans are almost certainly going to be affected, meaning Lampard once again may be hindered in his hopes to make more additions to his squad. When he took over as manager last summer, Lampard knew he was unable to bring in a replacement for Eden Hazard. They also sent Alvaro Morata out on loan to Atletico Madrid while David Luiz left to join Arsenal.
Lampard was left short of options with many suggesting a battle for a European spot would be a tall order. But the Stamford Bridge icon used the opportunity to blood some of the talented youth that has been blooming at Chelsea over the years.
Having sold Luiz in the summer, Fikayo Tomori was handed a chance in the starting line-up and the 22-year-old has now established himself as a first-team regular. Somewhat more pressing though was the issue in the attacking positions having lost a key part of their past successes in Hazard. Someone of Hazard’s ilk is hard to replace at the best of times, but Lampard has made his departure seamless with the emergence of Mason Mount.
This isn’t to say whether or not Mount will go on to emulate Hazard, but he has enjoyed an incredible first full season with the first team and he’s been a huge part of Chelsea battling for a Champions League spot. Ziyech arriving in the summer will also act as a replacement for Willian, who looks increasingly likely to leave the club at the end of the season due to his contract expiring.
The biggest success story though is Tammy Abraham, who has bided his time on loan spells since 2016 before being given his chance to lead the line. Lampard was originally reluctant to stick with Abraham from the start of the season, but the 22-year-old soon forced his hand with seven goals in his first four starts for the club.
A striker may still be a target for Chelsea, but Abraham has surely made Lampard’s life a lot easier if they fail to do so. But there remains one position Lampard is clearly unhappy with and will want to address in the transfer window.
The Chelsea manager has been unable to stick with either Marcos Alonso or Emerson Palmieri at left-back throughout the campaign, with Cesar Aziplicueta even stepping in at times. And it appears as though Chelsea are ready to solve that issue in the summer with both Alex Telles and Ben Chilwell linked with a move.