Frank Lampard says Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare is not in Chelsea’s plan for the January window but remains eager to strengthen his team – particularly up front – before the end of this month.
The London side have been linked with a host of strikers, notably Edinson Cavani, even before Tammy Abraham picked up an injury that will see him miss Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round game against Hull City.
However, Cavani appears to be moving to Atletico Madrid, with Chelsea – like many teams – struggling to do business in January.
Another player who has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea is Soumare, but, despite being an admirer of the player, Lampard says it won’t happen this month – but he still hopes to bring in reinforcements this window.
Asked if Soumare was a deal Chelsea could conclude this month, Lampard said: I’m aware of him as a player but he’s not on my radar for this window, to be fair.
‘We played against them [Lille] and I know he’s a good player but that’s one that’s not on the immediate radar, albeit he’s a good player. But he’s another club’s player.’
On whether Chelsea have increased impetus to sign a new striker now that Abraham is injured, Lampard continued: ‘I think the impetus to bring in a striker or players potentially that can get on the end of these chances that we’re creating is there. I think we have to be really honest about that.
‘And I think the recent games have shown that if we are struggling to create, that’s one problem. But when you’re creating 20 chances a game – which is a lot of the games we’ve played recently – and not scoring enough goals then that can be crucial.
‘So I don’t think it absolutely changes it but of course Tammy has been our main source of goals so yes, it’s very relevant.
‘With Olivier Giroud, he’s still in the same position where there’s been contact with other clubs and if and when that’s agreed I’ll let you know. But it’s not yet, so he’s still our player on those terms.’
