Lampard set to let some stars leave

Frank Lampard is set to hold a mass exodus of Chelsea players this summer as he rings the changes at Stamford Bridge, according to a report by Goal.

Those that are expected to be allowed to leave include Baba Rahman, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Kenneth Omeruo, Matt Miazga, Izzy Brown, Lucas Piazon, Dujon Sterling, Lewis Baker and Trevoh Chalobah.

The futures of Fikayo Tomori, Michy Batshuayi and Kenedy are not clear at the present moment following their pre-season tour of Japan, whereas Jake Clarke-Salter has completed a loan move to Birmingham City.

Despite Lampard’s arrival and his openness about everybody getting a chance to prove their worth to the club ahead of the upcoming campaign, it would have always been difficult to see many of those names having an impact at Stamford Bridge.

Bakayoko’s future was always in doubt after the new manager slammed him back in 2017 after watching him in action. However, he was given an opportunity to prove himself against Kawasaki Frontale but hardly proved his worth as The Sun left an unkind score of five for his performance, as they wrote: “Looked tired and sluggish, almost came off injured with a nasty-looking injury but appears to be OK.”

As did the Frenchman, the likes of Miazga, Piazon, Brown and Baker all spent time out on loan last season, whilst Rahman and Omeruo have never really had a chance in the club’s first-team since their arrivals.

Omeruo joined the club back in 2012 but has failed to make a single appearance for the Blues. Rahman has found life difficult at Stamford Bridge following his £21.7million move from Augsburg in August 2015, making just 23 appearances (Transfermarkt).

Batshuayi and Tomori appear to be the duo that have the best chance of playing and could potentially have opportunities in the first-team next season. The Belgium international managed to net five goals in his 11 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace and could give the likes of Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham a run for their money in the side.

Tomori played under Lampard last season whilst on loan at Derby County and put in a number of stellar performances. He managed to average 2.3 tackles and 1.5 interceptions in his 47 appearances (via WhoScored) as the Rams reached the play-off final and was named the club’s Player of the Year and the fan’s Player of the Year at the end of the season.

It is hardly a surprise to hear that a number of the aforementioned players are all thought to be allowed to leave Chelsea this summer.

Chelsea already have 35 first-team players on their club books at the moment (Transfermarkt) and Lampard was always likely to try and freshen things up at Stamford Bridge with the transfer banpotentially offering the Blues a perfect opportunity to do so.

It will be interesting to see who will still be at the club prior to their opening match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 11 August.