Chelsea Make Dayot Upamecano 'No.1' Target as Frank Lampard Plans 8-Player Summer Clear-Out

​Frank Lampard is planning a clear-out of up to eight players this summer as he looks to overhaul his squad following the reality check of their Champions League humbling to Bayern Munich.

The gap in quality between Europe's elite and Chelsea was painstakingly clear during the pair's round of 16 clash at Stamford Bridge, with the visitors running riot in west London to hand the Blues with a mountain to climb.

Despite having their two-window transfer ban reduced in time for the winter window, ​Chelsea were unable to secure any of their targets during the month, with Lampard left to deal with the players at his disposal for the remainder of the term.

One addition has already been signed and sealed, with a deal for Ajax's Hakim Ziyech agreed that will see him delivered to the club in the summer for £33m. 

However, according to ​The Sun, some significant outgoings could take place as Lampard eyes an eight-player cull of his squad.

One of the less surprising of those is goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, whose form had fallen off a cliff and resulted in him being usurped in the team by 38-year-old Willy Caballero. 


In the same boat are left-backs Emerson and Marcos Alonso, with neither up to the standard required at the club and struggling for minutes themselves. Another potential outgoing in defence, before the season Kurt Zouma looked like becoming a regular under Lampard but his form has also dropped considerably and he's fallen down the pecking order.


Due to his, and Fikayo Tomori's form, the ​Mirror are claiming that Dayot Upamecano has been made Lampard's 'number one' target for the summer as the ideal partner for Antonio Rudiger. It's hardly much of a shock - given how immense the Frenchman has been for RB Leipzig this season - that Chelsea are keeping tabs.

Dayot Upamecano

Although, they're monitoring the situation alongside nigh-on every side in Europe - with Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Tottenham and the kitchen sink all being linked with a summer swoop.


Moving back to The Sun's list, upfront there are a couple of other obvious candidates. ​Willian's contract situation ​has hit a stalemate, with it increasingly likely (almost inevitable) he'll leave on a free in the summer. Pedro, meanwhile, is also out of contract at the end of the season and due to be moved on.


So, that makes six, while the Sun also (more surprisingly) throw in midfield pair Jorginho and Ross Barkley.


Barkley has struggled for minutes in an overcrowded midfield, making just 11 ​Premier League outings and notching a lowly one assist. At 26, time is running out for him to realise his potential.

While Jorginho has won over supporters in west London this campaign, links have repeatedly surfaced linking him with a Maurizio Sarri reunion at Juventus. He's performed well this term, but there is a fair argument to suggest he isn't the kind of player Lampard wants. The Italian wouldn't be short of suitors, but a replacement would certainly be required.


It's set to be an eventful summer at the club, and with Lampard's supposed £150m transfer kitty, we could see plenty of further incomings.


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Source : 90min