Former Tottenham and England manager Glenn Hoddle has told Chelsea that they need to back Frank Lampard, stating they are a few recruits shy of a side capable of fighting for the Premier League title.
Lampard was unable to sign new players upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge in the summer due to the FIFA-imposed transfer ban, which was lifted for the mid-season window.
However, Chelsea are yet to sign anybody in the January transfer window, despite Lampard's not-so-subtle pleas, but Hoddle isn't sure certain new faces will arrive before Friday's deadline.
That should not be too much of a concern though, he believes, as he has stated the next couple of transfer window are decisive in building a squad capable of winning the title.
“I think [Lampard] does want to bring somebody in this window. Whether he’s going to get that opportunity, reading between the lines I’m not so sure actually," he told Premier League Productions.
“But this is more important, over the next coming two windows I think for Frank. I think if he brings in the right professionals, the right experienced players, uses the right money on that level…
“He’s got the youngsters, he knows he’s got a group of young players there. In two years time, if he brings in the right pros, the good apples and good players, experience, with these kids, I think they’ll be challenging for the league in two years time.
“That’s how Chelsea owners have got to look at it, not about now. Even if he goes fifth this year and misses out on the top four, this squad and whatever manager is at Chelsea, the key is who he brings in, the experience.
“Those kids, they’re good enough. You’ve got six or seven of them, superb. And you’ve got a little underbelly as well, you’ve got a little underbelly coming through that are going to be great in two years time.
“But these kids now that are playing are going to have two more years experience. It is really important for Chelsea Football Club who he brings in, experienced players, to play with them.
“He’s going to be losing Pedro and Willian, they’ve been great players, they’re all going to be going. It’s really key for how their future is and it could be exciting in two years time.”
