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Frank Lampard puts talks with three Chelsea players on hold before January transfer window
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is keen to wait until the January transfer window before discussing the future of a number of his stars.
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Frank Lampard will not speak with Olivier Giroud, Willian or Pedro about their future at Chelsea until the January transfer window opens and that perhaps suggests that all three could potentially be sold at the turn of the year. Out of the trio, only Willian has had regular game time this season at Stamford Bridge.
All three will be out of contract next summer and will enter the final six months of their deal in January.
That means they will be free to discuss with other clubs about potentially joining on a free transfer.
Giroud has been out of favour since the first few games of Lampard’s tenure due to the impressive form of Tammy Abraham.
Despite that, he has remained a mainstay in Didier Deschamps’ France side but has since been warned that could change if he doesn’t play regularly for his club.
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Lampard though, is adamant discussions will be on hold until the new year.
“The players, all the players that are here, I won’t have any talk about anything in January until we get to January – from anybody,” Lampard said.
“I am happy for him (Giroud) to stay, but with every player in the squad I want them to be here for Chelsea and have the right professionalism and desire to be here.
“He has shown me that in training every day this season so that is what I am happy with.”
As for Willian, the Brazilian has been a key figure for Lampard and has nailed down a place in the side.
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That’s come at the expense of Pedro, who has struggled for minutes, falling behind Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic in the pecking order.
“As a manager I have full conversations upstairs,” Lampard explained.
“There is a money side, there is a playing side.
“I want players that want to be here and can perform well for us and they [Willian and Pedro] have done over well their careers here so that is simple from my point of view; I want good players here.”
Pedro is unlikely to be offered an improved contract and is therefore set for the exit door.
He recently told Radio Club Tenerife that he is already considering his future.
“There are offers, there are always clubs that are interested & that is a joy,” he said.
“I still have years to play but you’re thinking about what things are going on.
“I’m running out of contract at Chelsea, I’m free & we’ll see what happens.”
Fikayo Tomori signed a new long-term contract earlier this week.
It’s a deal that shows Lampard is keen to ensure Chelsea keep their best young players at the club, something that was never a guaranteed before his arrival.
“It’s obviously a very proud moment for myself and my family. I’ve been at the club since I was seven years old so I don’t really know much else other than Chelsea,” Tomori said.
“The club has been so good to me, looking after and developing me during that time into the player and the person I am today. It’s a dream come true to sign a new five-year contract. I’m really happy the club have shown this faith in me and I’m just excited to carry on.”