Lampard admits it will be difficult to trim Chelsea squad in January

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard admits trimming squad in January will not be easy

In a recent interview (h/t Football.london), Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has admitted that it will not be easy for the club to trim their squad in the January transfer window.

Having made a host of signings in the summer, Chelsea have a large squad. Frank Lampard has 25 senior players at his disposal, with all but one – Billy Gilmour, being full internationals for their countries.

Several players that have either fallen out of favour or haven’t been getting enough game-time have been linked with a January exit. Marcos Alonso, Fikayo Tomori, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Jorginho are some of the names that have been touted to leave the club this month. (h/t Football.london)

Marcos Alonso has been linked with a January exit from Chelsea.
Marcos Alonso has been linked with a January exit from Chelsea.

Lampard, though, has warned players that securing an exit this month could be difficult under the current circumstances due to the pandemic.

“We’ll see what happens with the squad because we’re in a very tough time in terms of Covid and how the transfer market looks.

So anything that happens, player by player, would have to be right for the club, for the player, dependent on contracts, and then myself. So it’s not simple.”

Lampard insisted that he understood the position of players that weren’t playing regularly. But, the Blues boss urged them to keep on fighting and show a good attitude.

Frank Lampard after the defeat against Manchester City.
Lampard admits offloading players might be tough in January. (GETTY Images)

“All they need to do – and I don’t ask for them to be jumping up and down when they get home about how great I am – is to train well, back your team-mate, have a determined attitude every day. The point is that players have to keep fighting in tough times.”

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With the mid-season trading window open for business, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea do sanction any player sales before the end of the month.