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No plans for the January sales

No plans for the January sales

As news filtered through that Chelsea’s appeal to sport’s court of arbitration had succeeded (the transfer ban has been lifted and the fine halved) there was a collective shudder of apprehension from fans. Might it mean that Frank Lampard’s courageous kids policy will be abandoned in favour of signing more ready-made ‘superstars’? Will it mean

As news filtered through that Chelsea’s appeal to sport’s court of arbitration had succeeded (the transfer ban has been lifted and the fine halved) there was a collective shudder of apprehension from fans.

Might it mean that Frank Lampard’s courageous kids policy will be abandoned in favour of signing more ready-made ‘superstars’?

Will it mean a spending blitz in January that will deny promoted youngsters their chance to shine?

Mercifully, not! At his afternoon pre-Everton conference at Cobham, Lampard was adamant that “we are doing OK”, and that he is happy with his squad. There will be no major shopping expedition in the January sales.

Not that any manager wouldn’t be grateful for the flexibility to sign new players… but Lamps knows that he has shown faith in the next generation, and they have repaid that faith.

Had FIFA not imposed Chelsea’s transfer ban, those youngsters would simply not have had the opportunity to prove themselves the way they have.

The situation may not have been perfect, and the football club is still angry about what it sees as a disproportionate punishment for what are regarded internally as technical infringements, but FIFA’s ban has sent a wonderful gust of fresh air through the squad, putting in place foundations that will stand the club in good stead for years – perhaps decades.

“It is a positive outcome for us,” said Lampard of the appeal court’s verdict. “It allows the potential to look at the market going forward, and so I am pleased from a footballing level.

“I am happy with the squad that I have here. The reason people have given us a lot of credit this season is probably because they expected less of us, and we have to give credit to the group that is working now to get to where we’ve got to.

“I still want more. I think we could have more points and be higher up the table.”

Although Chelsea will not go on a spend, spend, spend blitz, the search is on – longer term – for another goalie, while the Blues will be alert to any opportunities to snap up the odd defender too.

A replacement is also expected to be found for Olivier Giroud, but broadly the squad will remain as it is until the end of the current season.

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