Lampard Stars Talking To Players Likely To Leave Stamford Bridge

Chelsea FC has been spending heftily, bringing in big names that make the Blues a team to watch this season. However, it remains that the club can only do so much as far as giving their players the right playing time. Hence, Frank Lampard needs to figure out who will stay or go given the current predicament of the club.

Among the players that Lampard is expected to talk to are Antonio Rudiger and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Rudiger has fallen in the pecking order even with Thiago Silva yet to join the Blues. Against Liverpool, Fikayo Tomori, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma were selected ahead of him, raising questions about his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The case of Hudson-Odoi is not that different. For some time now, the 19-year-old has been linked to Bayern Munich. He signed a five-year deal with Chelsea almost a year ago but has continued to watch games from the sidelines, Goal reported. He has played only 10 minutes since the season started although he is set to start for the Blues in the Carabao Cup.

"It remains to be seen," Lampard said in another report from Goal. "We’re not in a period where the transfer window or market is acting like it has done in recent years in terms of how players move or what level they move at.”

Lampard has been known to treat these issues differently. Rather than see them sulk or consider options, the Blues manager prefers to use their current predicament as a way to motivate them to play better. The same case holds for Hudson-Odoi.

"That’s where Callum is at and that’s why I keep saying he needs to train, he needs to show [hunger] in training every day and when he gets his opportunity in games, which he will have tomorrow because he will play against Barnsley,” Lampard said.

Lampard’s intent is admirable but it remains that there are teams who could emerge and ramp up their bid for Hudson-Odoi. Among the clubs allegedly interested include FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Villareal.