Chelsea: Frank Lampard refuses to discuss transfer plans
Ashley Akpan is set to leave Chelsea soon after being told by the club to find a new team. Akpan came through the Blues’ youth ranks and was well-placed to progress to greater levels but ultimately wasn’t offered a scholarship deal.
I wouldn’t talk about Zaha and the idea of that deal is something I have never even considered
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard
According to Football Insider, the 15-year-old defender is now free to find a new team and will leave Stamford Bridge immediately after securing a move away.
The Poland youth international, who is also eligible to play for Nigeria and England, is expected to attract the interest of various Premier League and Championship clubs now that he is available.
Akpan can play in defence as well as midfield and his versatility makes him an interesting prospect to a number of teams.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has shown tremendous faith in the academy this season after the club was slapped with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has let one starlet go (Image: GETTY)
The Londoners, though, are now set to do business in this month’s transfer window after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) halved their ban.
The Premier League giants weren’t allowed to make any additions in the summer after being penalised by FIFA due to rules breaches regarding the signing of young players.
But Lampard is likely to bring in some new players after being handed a £150million budget by owner Roman Abramovich.
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"As I say I won’t talk about Zaha because he is not a player of ours. If we have to do business we will do it in the way we see fit, to try and make us better. That’s behind closed doors as opposed to just announcing who we might want to bring in.”
Chelsea will be in action on Saturday and will take on Burnley at Stamford Bridge (3pm) after advancing to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
The Blues are looking to improve their form as they have suffered three losses and one draw in their last six Premier League fixtures.