Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is preparing to sell as many as EIGHT players this summer as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging in Europe.
The Blues’ record goalscorer experienced a brutal lesson first-hand in his first Champions League knockout tie as a manager as he watched his side get trounced 3-0 by Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
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Frank Lampard was dismayed, but not surprised, at Bayern’s ability to trounce his Chelsea side
Although Lampard won the competition himself as a player in 2012, the drubbing his young side experienced at the hands of the Bundesliga giants has seemingly forced the 41-year-old to re-evaluate.
Despite having plenty of possession and chances, Chelsea were ruthlessly exposed and made to pay by their more experienced and clinical counterparts.
According to The Sun, Lampard was not surprised by the Bayern defeat as he knows the limitations of the squad he inherited from Maurizio Sarri and without Eden Hazard.
He also took charge of his former club in the midst of a transfer ban, and even though the ban was reduced meaning Chelsea could sign players in January, no new recruits were added to Lampard’s squad last month.
As a result, a big summer rebuild is expected.
In total, there are eight players who are expected to either leave Stamford Bridge or be given significantly reduced roles as Lampard plans to open a transfer war chest which has been building since January 2019.
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Kepa Arrizabalaga will be sold by Chelsea if Frank Lampard gets his way
It is understood Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ross Barkley and Jorginho will be shown the door this summer, with all three failing to convince Lampard of their abilities during his eight months in charge.
Kurt Zouma has also failed to convince the former Derby boss, who has changed his backline with alarming regularity this season.
Furthermore, left-back is the main cause for concern with Marcos Alonso underlying his erratic form by scoring and getting sent off within the space of a week, while Emerson Palmieri is not considered to be at the required level.
Veteran attackers Pedro and Willian are also under scrutiny as they reach the end of their careers, with Hakim Ziyech’s summer signing already confirmed and Jadon Sancho also a potential target.
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Leicester defender Ben Chilwell is seen as the ideal candidate to solve the first of the aforementioned defensive issues, with fellow Three Lions ace Sancho also fitting in with Lampard’s criteria of young, English talent.
Jan Oblak is another linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and Atletico Madrid may possibly be keen on a swap deal for the goalkeeper with Kepa going the other way.
Lampard made it clear in the wake of Tuesday’s defeat he wants to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the table, as opposed to fighting just to finish fourth in the Premier League.
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