Frank Lampard EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea manager clarifies transfer plans with embargo appeal hearing to take place this month
Frank Lampard has told talkSPORT January signings are no guarantee even if Chelsea have their transfer ban reduced following their appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Blues will present their case to CAS on November 20, hoping to cut their transfer embargo to a single window which would mean their punishment for breaching transfer regulations would have already been served.
Chelsea did not sign a single player throughout the summer window - expect for Mateo Kovacic, whose loan deal was allowed to be made permanent due to registration rules - and they will also not be able to buy anyone in January if CAS reject their appeal.
Regardless of the outcome later this month, Lampard will definitely be able to enter the market for new players at the end of this season, in preparation for the 2020/21 campaign.
However, he is reportedly already planning for the January window, with the likes of Ben Chilwell, the Leicester left-back, and Bournemouth centre-half Nathan Ake said to be on Lampard's radar with a £150million budget to spend.
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Joining talkSPORT on Wednesday morning, however, Lampard downplayed such reports, claiming business will only be done if it makes sense - rather than Chelsea spending for the sake of spending, simply because they are allowed to should the embargo be ended.
“I will cross that bridge when I come to it," Lampard told Jim White. “I am very happy with what I’ve got, but it is something we would always look to at Chelsea.
“Can we improve in areas and only do business if we can improve and it feels it is the right thing for the group.
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“Not just personnel wise, but in the balance and the way we are going.
“I will look at that one, but at the moment I can’t ask for any more.
"It’s nice that what happens at the appeal is really down the list of my priorities at the minute. The real priority is going game to game and trying to improve all the time.”
Lampard joined talkSPORT the day after his side came from three goals down to draw 4-4 with Ajax in the Champions League group stage.