Good morning, Chelsea fans. Here are your morning headlines for Saturday, July 11.
Lampard stays quiet on Havertz reports
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has refused to be drawn on speculation linking Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz with a move to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are thought to be in pole position to sign the 21-year-old having already secured deals for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner and Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech.
But speaking ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Sheffield United on Saturday evening, Lampard carefully side-stepped questions regarding the young German.
"Unfortunately it's another answer from me that that is not something I want to broach at this moment in time,” said Lampard.
"My focus is completely on the game. So I don't want to give you any ifs buts or maybes for the summer, my focus has to be on the here and now."
Chelsea boss ready to sell Kepa
Lampard is prepared to sell Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and recruit a replacement this summer, according to Football Insider.
Kepa has re-established himself as Lampard’s first-choice having temporarily lost his place to Willy Caballero prior to lockdown.
However, the report states that Lampard has doubts over the Spaniard’s ability and character.
Kepa caused a stir last season when he refused to be substituted at the end of extra-time during Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City.
The 25-year-old joined the west Londoners from Athletic Bilbao for a record £71million in 2018.
Kante injury woes to be addressed during pre-season
Lampard has also revealed he will try to solve N’Golo Kante’s ongoing injury woes during pre-season.
The Frenchman’s fitness problems have reduced him to just 20 Premier League starts this term.
Kante missed Chelsea’s win over Crystal Palace having picked up a hamstring injury during the victory over Watford and will be unavailable for Saturday’s clash at Sheffield United.
“I will probably tackle it differently and see where we are pre-season," said Lampard. "The big issue this year is that he came to pre-season injured and missed a massive part of pre-season. We tried to get him quickly fit for the Super Cup, which he was incredible in his performance.
"He was still struggling and that was a real domino effect for him. It is time to maybe take stock at this period. This injury that he has is not really related to the serious nature of the knee injury he had coming into this season.
"It is a small injury probably down to the games he has played and lack of pre-season. I am happy to look at managing a player like him and the levels he has reached over recent years in his career.
"I am very happy to manage him as we see fit. It will be a very open conversation between myself, N’Golo, the strength and conditioning coach and medical team.”
