Here are your morning headlines for Tuesday, April 14.
Lampard believes Chelsea can challenge Liverpool
Frank Lampard believes Chelsea are capable of challenging for the Premier League during his tenure but said that it would be foolish to expect his young team to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool right away.
“I don’t want to jump the gun because I think what Liverpool and Man City have done in the last few seasons is very clear,” Lampard said. “I think I would be a bit of a fool to make that claim that we will bridge the gap very quickly because there has been a lot of hard work at those two clubs.
“Recruitment on top of great players, great coaches, working together and improving themselves, and we have to be part of that process. That has to look in our way different. We can’t copy that, but we have to look at that. We have had young players, we have had experienced players who have helped us this year.
He added: “But we know there are little areas around the squad. Some of that is us, and some of that we might look to recruit going forward.
“This period now, and what is going on in the world has made it very difficult to plan on that front. We have to have different versions of plans of how it looks going forward. Going into this break, I certainly felt like we was moving in the right direction.
“And with continued progress and working on the day to day, and the attitude of the club, myself and the players, and bringing in players in key areas to try and bridge that gap to Liverpool and City, then yeah I have a strong belief we can.”
Lampard explains transfer change
Lampard then went on to explain how challenging it has been to plan the next transfer window because of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.
The season remains uncertain, and the next transfer window is set to be delayed. But the head coach remains sure the club is heading in the right direction.
Lampard explained: “This period now and what is going on in the world has made it very difficult to plan on that front. We have to have different versions of plans of how it looks going forward. Going into this break, I certainly felt like we were moving in the right direction.
“And with continued progress and working on the day to day, and the attitude of the club, myself and the players, and bringing in players in key areas to try and bridge that gap to Liverpool and City, then yeah I have a strong belief we can.”
Chelsea's Werner boost in Liverpool battle
Jurgen Klopp’s side continues to be strongly linked with a move for prolific RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner.
The 24-year-old had been enjoying a strong campaign in the Bundesliga and Champions League, and it has made him one of the hottest strikers in Europe. Werner has made no secret of his interest in playing for other teams, and it appears inevitable that he will earn a big-money move soon.
Werner has commented publicly on speculation linking him with Liverpool, but a move instead to Chelsea may prove more logical, according to Colin Millar.
Liverpool’s transfer business last summer was telling. No money was spent on upgrading the first-team squad, with the back-up goalkeeper and free agent Adrian San Miguel the only senior arrival. It was a clear sign that not only was Jurgen Klopp happy with his squad in terms of personnel, but also balance.
To read Millar’s full case for a move to Stamford Bridge, click on the above link.
