Defensive issues will be a key area of concern for Chelsea heading into the 2020/21 campaign and, despite having shelled out for both Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva.
Lampard remains keen on the prospect of further reinforcements in goal and across his porous backline.
Given the signings of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and possibly Kai Havertz, the Chelsea boss may be reliant on selling some players in order to invest at the back.
Below are three players who could be sold to fund more defensive reinforcements in this transfer window.
Marcos Alonso
The arrival of Chilwell means that the Spanish left-back could be shown the door in this transfer window.
Despite featuring in 18 league matches last season, Lampard appeared far from convinced of Alonso’s defensive abilities. The 29-year-old added a good attacking threat down the left but an imbalance between defence and attack often left the Blues boss needing to change shape.
Added frailties between the sticks and at centre-back mean that selling a defensively-vulnerable full-back like Alonso may not be the worst idea.
He probably won’t command the most sizable fee but his quality going forward means there should be several potential suitors.
Emerson Palmeri
Selling two left-backs in the same transfer window may be seen as drastic action but Cesar Azpilicueta’s ability to also play on the left could allow that to happen.
The Italian offers similar strengths and weaknesses to Alonso which largely explains why Lampard was so willing to spend big money on Chilwell.
An inability to offer well-rounded attributes in a back four has limited Emerson’s development at Stamford Bridge and we could see him departing before the October 5 deadline.
Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan had been touted as admirers of the 26-year-old and have also been linked with Roma left-back Aleksandar Kolarov, Chelsea would hope to earn back at least the reported £25million that it took to sign him from Roma in 2018.
Michy Batshuayi
The arrival of Werner and possibly Havertz means that Lampard has a range of options to choose from in attack.
If that is the case, it would make sense to sell Batshuayi given that Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham appear to be in front of him in the pecking order at Chelsea.
Genuine interest from Premier League clubs and other European sides means that the Blues wouldn’t be hard pushed to find a buyer for the 26-year-old striker.
As a player with experience in top European leagues and currently in his prime, the Belgian striker would be a valuable asset and well worth his reported £20m pricetag.
SEE ALSO | Big Fight In Chelsea As Lampard Wants In-Coming Thiago Silva To Replace Azpilicueta As Captain
While Chilwell looks nailed on to join the Blues, selling Batshuayi would open up funds to sign other defensive options in this transfer window.
(footballlondon)
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
