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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Chelsea injury boost confirmed by Frank Lampard as midfielder backed for Rangers move in January

Here's all the news from around Stamford Bridge over the past 24 hours.

Chelsea to face Atletico Madrid

Chelsea have been handed arguably the most difficult tie possible in the Champions League last-16 stage.

Sealing their passage through to the knockout phase with two games to spare, Frank Lampard's side ensured they were one of the seeded teams for Monday afternoon's draw in Switzerland after topping their group.

And they now know they'll be facing La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid when the competition resumes in the new year.

With the likes of Borussia Monchengladbach, Atalanta, and FC Porto among the teams the Blues could have drawn, being paired with Diego Simeone's side is arguably a nightmare tie.

Champions League: Full draw for first knockout round

However, Lampard has challenged his side to relish the two games.

"Most people will say it's the toughest draw we could have had when you go off current form, how they are doing in La Liga, European experience and the quality of the team and player," Lampard said.

"On the other hand all draws are difficult in the Champions League. We have to have belief in ourselves when that game comes around. You have to beat these teams if you're going to win the Champions League. It is what it is.

"Any draw is tough but if you look they are top of La Liga and when you look at the batch of teams. I watched them knock Liverpool out last year. They are obviously a great team with experience and quality in the squad.

"Most people would say that they were one of the toughest we could have drawn on paper. We have to turn up and do our job."

Pulisic injury boost

The Blues head coach has also delivered an update on Christian Pulisic ahead of the Premier League clash against Wolves.

Pulisic has featured sporadically for Chelsea this season due to ongoing hamstring issues and played 60 minutes in the 3-1 win over Leeds on December 5 but didn’t feature in subsequent matches against Krasnodar and Saturday’s loss at Everton due to "discomfort".

But in a boost for Lampard - who is already without Hakim Ziyech as well as Callum Hudson-Odoi - Pulisic has trained and will be in the squad to face Wolves.

"Yes, he was out of the squad through injury so he was out of the squad at the weekend. He trained on the day we played against Everton and he felt better so he is in the squad for tomorrow," Lampard said.

"It is yet to be decided whether he starts or not but it is positive news from where it was at the weekend."

Gilmour told to rejoin Rangers

Billy Gilmour has been urged to his former club Rangers on loan.

Chelsea signed the midfielder in 2017 and now that he has recovered from knee surgery, Kevin Phillips believes that the wonderkid should jump at the opportunity to play regularly and learn from manager Steven Gerrard.

"Who better to learn on than three of our best ever midfield players in the Premier League," he told Football Insider. "He has been learning off Frank Lampard and then he could be playing under Steven Gerrard and Gary McAllister. For his development, it is a no brainer.

Billy Gilmour returned to the Chelsea side against Krasnodar. ((Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images))

"If I am Frank Lampard and I’m looking to loan the boy out, Rangers would be a great move for him. 100 per cent he would consider that.

"He would be learning off three of the best midfield players the Premier League has ever seen so if I am the manager of Chelsea I would send Gilmour to my friend in Steven Gerrard.

"They also play great football at Rangers so it would suit Billy Gilmour’s game tremendously."

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