{"id":560812,"date":"2020-08-04T12:16:02","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T16:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=560812"},"modified":"2020-08-04T12:21:08","modified_gmt":"2020-08-04T16:21:08","slug":"report-five-chelsea-defenders-put-up-for-sale-as-frank-lampard-steps-up-chase-for-key-defensive-target","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/08\/04\/report-five-chelsea-defenders-put-up-for-sale-as-frank-lampard-steps-up-chase-for-key-defensive-target\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Five Chelsea Defenders Put up for Sale as Frank Lampard Steps up Chase for Key Defensive Target"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chelsea<\/span><\/a> are set for a defensive overhaul following a poor defensive run last season as head coach Frank Lampard reportedly lists five defenders for sale, and steps up the pursuit of long time target Ben Chilwell.<\/span><\/p>\n

Five Chelsea Defenders Put up for Sale<\/span><\/h2>\n

Chelsea Defenders Set Poor Defensive Record<\/span><\/h3>\n

Chelsea endured a gruesome and frustrating defensive outing from their players last season. The Blues conceded a whopping 54 goals – the worst of any top-half club in the Premier League – only bettering eight other clubs.<\/span><\/p>\n

With improvement needed, Lampard intends to follow the path both Liverpool<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Manchester City<\/a> once took, as he plans a defensive revamp going into the transfer market<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said: “I know that teams at the top of the game, Liverpool and Manchester City, have been through similar. I\u2019m not saying we are going to get to that level, but similar periods in the early stages of their managers being at the club a few years ago,” per <\/span>Goal<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clear Out Expected<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to Gary Jacob of the Times<\/span><\/a>, the Blues have now put up five defenders for sale in a bid to fix their defensive susceptibility.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kurt Zouma, Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen and Emerson Palmieri have been named for a possible exit at the club. Neither of\u00a0<\/span>Alonso<\/span><\/a> nor<\/span>\u00a0Palmieri<\/span><\/a>\u00a0has performed at an acceptable level for the Chelsea head coach.<\/span><\/p>\n

It appears the club has lost patience with both<\/span>\u00a0Zouma<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Christensen<\/span><\/a>, who have stalled in their development since breaking into the first team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lampard admitted his defenders made too many individual errors which cost the club goals. <\/span>\u201cThe numbers don\u2019t lie,\u201d Lampard said. \u201cSome of the clear individual errors can\u2019t be there if you want to keep moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is also reported that tireless midfielder\u00a0<\/span>N\u2019Golo Kante<\/span><\/a>\u00a0could also exit the club after enduring an injury-riddled season. Blues outcasts\u00a0<\/span>Tiemoue Bakayoko<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Michy Batshuayi<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are also available for sale while\u00a0<\/span>Ross Barkley\u2019s<\/span><\/a>\u00a0future remains in doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chelsea Step up Chase for Chilwell<\/span><\/h3>\n

Chelsea plan to upgrade their defensive options with funds generated from the sale of the five defenders and\u00a0<\/span>Leicester City\u2019s<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Ben Chilwell is a priority target.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frank Lampard will step up plans to land Chilwell<\/a> as he has been a longtime admirer of<\/span>\u00a0the Englishman.<\/span><\/p>\n

He was one of the standout performers for the Foxes, helping keep them in the top-four for the majority of the season before getting sidelined with an injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chelsea plan to complete a move for the 23-year-old and expect a reduction in Leicester’s \u00a380 million valuation, following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the addition of Timo Werner<\/a> and Hakim Ziyech<\/a>, Chelsea’s links with players like Kai Havertz<\/a> and Chilwell show Lampard is gradually building a formidable squad and one to look out for next season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>