Chelsea take on Everton on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League as they look to build on the win against Aston Villa in midweek.
The Blues face a trip to Merseyside where they will meet a managerless Everton following Marco Silva's sacking on Thursday evening.
Ahead of the game, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has faced the press.
Chelsea are free to sign players in January as their transfer ban has been reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
On CAS, Lampard said:
“It is what it is. Now we know. The club was working towards us and it’s a positive outcome. We can look forward and it’s good from a footballing point of view. We haven’t discussed it too much before the decision. Now it’s a discussion we can take up.”
Lampard is not thinking about many transfers: “
I’m not going to go down too many lines on that now. We will see where we are. In terms of the bigger picture, it is constantly fluid.”
“I haven’t had that conversation. The fact that people have given us credit, that has to go to the group. I want more and to be higher up the table. If there is a chance to strengthen it, then we will look at it.”
Does Giroud situation affect striker transfer?
It doesn’t. I consider the squad that I have now.
On Everton, Lampard said: “
I have been to Everton and it’s tough, we have to be on our top guard. As far as preparation goes it has to be the same.”
Lampard also spoke about the injuries: “
Tammy is good, he hasn’t done much in between games. Toni has had a good week of training. Tomorrow comes too soon.”
Transfer market a challenge?
A challenge, yeah. The one thing I felt that when you come into a club sometimes players you bring in is key to that. Going forward it is something that I will bring to the club. It won’t just be myself. I have a very open discussion with Marina. It will be a challenge and hopefully, we will get it right.
Will it change the landscape?
When Abramovich came in the landscape changed and it made me stand up and want to be better than those coming in. We want a competitive squad. I see the squad as 20+ and if players come in or leave it is a vision of where we want to go.
Everton sacking Silva
Perfect timing! Wait for Chelsea to come in! Silva tried everything for the club and sure that he will go on to manage well elsewhere. They might have an extra energy tomorrow as they rally.
Champions League on Tuesday
A big tester for us. We have been really good generally, a lot of positives. We reacted well against Villa, it has to be consistency. Can we go to a difficult game and then the Champions League.
Rotation?
We’ll see. It is a busy period.
January a tough time to bring in?
It depends on the player. We have to keep the balance of the squad and it has to feel right. It doesn’t matter if it’s January, July or not.
Lampard also spoke about Callum Hudson-Odoi.
“His best is to come. He has to apply himself every day. We have to be steady with him,” he said.
