Chelsea manager Frank Lampard faces a problem when it comes to selecting who should be involved with the Blues’ Champions League campaign.
As reported by Goal, the west London side can only register 17 foreign players in their squad for the Champions League with a further eight spots available for homegrown players. However, the arrival of Christian Pulisic and the permanent signing of Matteo Kovacic means Lampard has some difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks.
The Blues had been hoping to sell on French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, with Goal also reporting that PSG were looking at a loan-to-buy deal for the former Monaco star, but with ESPN reporting that the Ligue 1 champions are close to signing Everton man Idrissa Gueye, this now looks unlikely.
It’s not just Bakayoko who could be snubbed from the Champions League squad due to UEFA regulations, though. The report also states that the likes of Kurt Zouma, Michy Batshuayi and Davide Zappacosta are too in line to miss out on European football, as well as Brazilian winger Kennedy.
The appointment of Lampard has excited Chelsea fans despite the ongoing transfer ban (per Sky Sports News), as supporters are eager to see their former midfield icon give youth players a chance in the first-team (as highlighted by The Sun), and with the likes of Tammy Abraham being handed the number 9 shirt (per Four Four Two) and Mason Mount impressing in pre-season (per the Metro), the incentive could be there for the Blues manager to use more than eight homegrown players in Europe.
With UEFA’s regulations restricting Chelsea from registering all of their foreign talents for the Champions League, Lampard could make his first ruthless act as the manager and drop some big names from Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Indeed, with no Eden Hazard at the club following his move to Real Madrid and no real replacement allowed to come in due to the transfer ban, the Blues head into the Champions League this season seemingly at a disadvantage, but Lampard could make a big statement by dropping the likes of Bakayoko and Zouma in favour of homegrown options in the Chelsea squad.
Chelsea fans, who should Lampard drop for the Champions League? Let us know!
