CHELSEA boss Frank Lampard says he’s ready to spend big in January after the club’s transfer ban was lifted.
And he warned the club’s promising young stars they will have to fight for their places in the first team – just like he did when Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.
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The Blues today discovered their appeal against the Fifa ban had seen their punishment halved, leaving them free to do business when the window opens next month.
And Lampard said: “As we go forward of course if I feel there are positions we can strengthen then we will obviously look at that, as all big clubs do.
“That’s why people expected less of us this season because lots of clubs around us and below us were spending 100 million and we didn’t have that chance, and we lost Hazard and two number nines.
“Now the picture’s slightly changed and it’s important that we get it right moving forward.”
The Chelsea boss has told his squad they now need to embrace the new era by rising to the challenge, just like he did when Abramovic arrived and started snapping up some of the biggest names in the game.
He added : “When Roman Abramovich came in, the landscape changed. Players came into my position, Makelele from Real Madrid, Veron etc.
“It made me stand up and take notice and prove that I am better than them.
“No player is the same. But what is the same is that you need a competitive.
“As much as it is important to bring in, it is as important for me that we keep the balance of the squad right.
“I don’t see just the 11 players who start, but the squad of 20+ men that need to help us over the course of the season.
“So if we are going to bring in players or players leave it will be with a view as my part as manager to go in that direction.”
