MX23RW : Tuesday, January 7 20:42:41| >> :120:6159:6159:

Frank Lampard: 'No ins or outs at Chelsea on deadline day'

Frank Lampard: 'No ins or outs at Chelsea on deadline day'
© Reuters
The French striker had been linked with Tottenham and Inter Milan but looks set to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Lampard has confirmed Olivier Giroud will remain at Stamford Bridge as he does not expect Chelsea to make any signings before the close of the transfer window.

The Blues boss hailed the France striker's "impeccable" conduct during a turbulent January window.

Scotching the chances of the Blues recruiting Napoli's Dries Mertens or Paris St Germain's Edinson Cavani, Lampard said that means Giroud will stay at Chelsea.

Olivier Giroud looks set to stick with Chelsea for the rest of the season
Olivier Giroud looks set to stick with Chelsea for the rest of the season (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Giroud had the chance to move to Tottenham or Inter Milan, but despite his not moving Lampard insisted the 33-year-old still has a big role to play for the Blues this term.

Asked if Chelsea were close to recruiting Mertens from Napoli, Lampard said: "No. The window is probably 95 per cent shut for us.

"So the answer will probably be no to the players I'm guessing you'll be asking about."

World Cup-winning striker Giroud has fallen down the Stamford Bridge pecking order, with England hotshot Tammy Abraham already bagging 13 Premier League goals this term.

Chelsea were always willing to let Giroud leave in the January window, but only if they could recruit a direct replacement.

Chelsea had been linked with Dries Mertens, right
Chelsea had been linked with Dries Mertens, right (Martin Rickett/PA)

And after being thwarted on a number of targets, Lampard now believes Giroud will refocus on the task in hand with Chelsea.

"Will he leave? No... no ins means no outs," said Lampard.

"Olivier Giroud in this window has been incredible as a professional and as a man.

"We all know there's been interest and I've sat here at every press conference and said it could happen but only if it worked for all parties, so the club and the player.

"He's been impeccable in that period and I've got huge respect for him as a man and a player."

Tammy Abraham could be asked to play through the pain barrier at Leicester
Tammy Abraham could be asked to play through the pain barrier at Leicester (John Walton/PA)

Abraham could yet shake off his ankle injury in time to lead Chelsea's line in Saturday's Premier League clash at Leicester.

The 22-year-old hobbled off the pitch at the end of Chelsea's 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal, and missed the FA Cup victory at Hull.

But the former Aston Villa loanee trained on Friday and could yet be fit for the King Power Stadium trip.

"He's trained today and felt OK, but we need to see if there's a reaction," said Lampard.

"It's a pain injury. We'll test him in the morning. But he did get out there today and that's good in the longer term."

ID:388270: cacheID:388270:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8018:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Olivier Giroud in action for Chelsea on April 3, 2019
Read Next:
Lazio chief in London to wrap up Giroud deal?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!