Frank Lampard has told Chelsea they ‘need’ to bolster his squad before the January transfer window closes and says he has a ‘strong feeling’ of where his team can be strengthened.
Lampard was unable to bring any new players to Stamford Bridge in his first transfer window in charge and says Chelsea ‘lost ground’ last summer, with the Blues also having to cope with the departure of Eden Hazard.
Despite having their transfer ban lifted in December, Chelsea are yet to finalise any January deals, although they continue to be linked with the likes of striker Edinson Cavani and goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Speaking after Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Hull City, Lampard was asked to provide a transfer update and told BT Sport: ‘There is no movement to speak of now.
“We allow teams to stay in the game until the 94th minute.”
“I feel like a broken record. It’s frustrating.”
“We lost ground in the summer and we need to improve personnel wise.”
Fascinating listening as an incredibly honest Frank Lampard speaks to @DesKellyBTS… pic.twitter.com/Ti1l5WgPEY
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 25, 2020
‘We got a punishment in the summer and it is meant to hurt you. We lost one of the biggest players in our history in Eden Hazard. That is the situation.
‘My job is to work every day on the training ground to make the players better. The other part is looking at how we can move forward by bringing in players.
‘We lost ground last summer and we need to make moves now to take us forward. I have a strong feeling of where we can improve personnel-wise to take us forward.
‘So for me it’s clear. The money of it is not my job but I have to be honest and truthful. Short-term recruitment is something we have to get right.’
Chelsea, currently fourth in the Premier League, booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Hull on Saturday.
Goals from Michy Batshuayi and Fikayo Tomori saw the Blues take control and, despite Hull’s second-half rally, Chelsea held on to advance in the competition.
‘The good news is we are in the hat, the bad news is that it is a small example of our season,’ Lampard added. ‘We had the game in our grasp and we play in nice patterns to finish them.
‘But when they don’t come off you need to keep trying them. When we play well we are a good team but we don’t finish the game. We caused our own problems.
‘It is a hard one. We work hard in front of goal and it is not coming off for us. It is going to define you. I feel like a broken record.
‘We have the larger share of possession and shots on goal but not making those count. There is more goals to be had and control of the game.
‘You can’t bemoan your luck, such as a deflection with the Hull goal. It is frustrating. We are making mistakes and allowing them to run two on tow in the last few minutes.’
Lampard’s Chelsea return to action next weekend with a Premier League clash against top-four rivals Leicester City.
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