Frank Lampard wanted Declan Rice and Erling Haaland before Chelsea sack
Frank Lampard was already planning for next summer before Chelsea went ahead and pulled the trigger on him at the end of January. The former boss wanted to bring in Erling Haaland and Declan Rice ahead of next season (via Sky Sports Italia h/t Express).
After a series of underwhelming results, Lampard was let go by Chelsea towards the end of January and replaced by Thomas Tuchel. The new manager has done well to stabilize the situation and guided the club back into the fray for a top-four finish.
Declan Rice was a target for Chelsea through the summer and it was a signing Lampard personally wanted. The West Ham midfielder was once on the books of Chelsea as an academy player.
However, Lampard’s departure meant that those plans were shelved and links to Rice have died down in recent weeks. With a stacked midfield already at Tuchel’s disposal, it is unlikely they will return for the West Ham man in the near future.
However, the Erling Haaland situation is still open for the club. The Norwegian sensation has taken Europe by storm with his goal-scoring exploits and has been linked to a plethora of sides including Chelsea. This deal is no doubt one that Chelsea are likely to push for.
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With the role of the starting striker still open for taking, Haaland’s pursuit makes sense. The existing strikers at the club are not sure-fire starters with Olivier Giroud ageing, Timo Werner struggling and Tammy Abraham not being preferred. As for Rice, it does not look like the interest in him could be followed through.