Here are your Chelsea morning headlines for Friday, July 24.
Jenas wants Blues to back Kepa
Chelsea have shipped 54 Premier League goals this campaign, with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga taking much of the criticism for the tally.
However, BT Sport pundit Jermaine Jenas believes the side’s problems lie with their lack of leadership in defence.
Jenas believes Kepa should be given more time at Stamford Bridge to establish himself and has called on Chelsea to invest in their back-line.
Jenas told an exclusive interview with football.london : "I personally wouldn't. I personally look at the Chelsea defence and I think they are all over the place in terms of their personnel or the way they play.
"They haven't got a leader at the back. You've got one individual that you can look at and go 'he's the man back there'. I think Rudiger is trying to be that guy, but he's always trying to play the hardman and the strongman and giving away stupid free-kicks and fouls.
"You look at most teams and they've all got one who can be a general back there, whether it's Van Dijk, Laporte or Maguire, he's not having a great season but by all accounts you look at him as their main figurehead back there.
"Chelsea haven't got that as they're all at a similar level. Rudiger, Zouma, Christensen or Azpilicueta are all pretty similar.
"I think if they can bring in a top centre-back the impact it will have on Kepa will be big.
"I think he's taken a lot of the criticism here, but I think their defence has been getting away with it personally.
"I don't remember one he's chucked in this year, there have been a few where you think he could have done better.
"I think he's starting to become a bit of a scapegoat at Chelsea, but when you come in for £75million people expect perfection. We saw with David de Gea in his first season that's not how it works."
Lampard's anger
The future of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is coming in for strong scrutiny but Frank Lampard has already made his mind up on the Spaniard.
That is according to a report in Football Insider, which claims the Blues boss is “fuming” with the performances of the shot-stopper and would like him sold this summer.
Lampard is said to be insisting to the club to sign a new goalkeeper and ensure Kepa leaves the club as he has been far from convincing in his performances.
Kepa shipped five goals at Liverpool on Wednesday night and has now conceded 47 goals in 33 league outings this season.
Blues backed to bolster defence
Chelsea have already been busy in the transfer market this summer with the additions of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.
However, the worrying statistics behind the club’s defensive record this season indicate that the priority from now should lie in upgrading their defensive options.
Pundit and former West Ham striker Dean Ashton has now tipped the club to invest in their defence over the coming weeks.
"It wouldn't surprise me if we were to see a couple of signings in terms of strengthening that defence," Ashton told Sky Sports News, via the Express.
"I think Frank Lampard is very honest with his players but I think he'll have an edge.
"It's not about being charitable and feeling that you've got some great players and you want them to do well.
"If you don't feel they're right and you feel you can go out and get better, I think he will be quite cut throat in that sense."
