Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says he is open to signing players on short-term deals this month and has not ruled out a transfer move for PSG forward Edinson Cavani.
The 32-year-old Uruguayan’s deal expires at the end of the campaign but he has told the French champions he wants to leave this month, having started only four games in Ligue 1 this term.
Lampard has made no secret of his desire to sign a new striker this month due to Chelsea’s problems breaking down clubs who sit deep.
It was an issue once again for Chelsea on Saturday when they failed to get a goal against Newcastle, despite dominating the game, before conceding a stoppage-time winner.
The result leaves Chelsea five points above fifth-placed Manchester United in the race for the top four, and Frank Lampard says they need reinforcements if they want to keep a Champions League spot.
“I think long term in January is very difficult so short term is something we would look at,” said Lampard when asked what kind of deals the Blues may make this January.
“I think there are issues that are pressing for us to finish where we want to get to. Short term is something we are looking at.
“He’s (Cavani) a great player – I played against him and I always loved his mentality and his attitude. His goal-scoring record speaks for itself. I’m not absolutely aware of what the situation is, so we’ll see.
“He’s an experienced player but so are many other players out there! We are young as a squad so the idea of bringing in experience is not something I’m looking away from. Sometimes the younger players need a bit of help.”
Asked what he said to the players in the dressing room after the Newcastle game, Lampard said: “I felt for them because it certainly wasn’t for a lack of effort.
“We pushed for big parts of the game. We had chances and we didn’t take them – that was clear.
“We didn’t defend the cross right – we should have headed it away, and I think we probably could have saved it with Kepa. They gave everything; it just didn’t happen for us on the day.”
