Chelsea: Lampard can challenge with signings says Glenn Hoddle
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia has been questioned over the club’s failure to make any new signings in January. Granovskaia is in charge of incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge but, despite Chelsea’s transfer ban being lifted in December, there were no new faces brought in during the winter transfer window.
Chelsea transfer news: Marina Granovskaia has been criticised for the lack of signings (Image: TALKSPORT/GETTY)
“I don’t know what Marina Granovskaia has been doing for all those days.
“But they’ve wanted a striker since January 1 and we’re now January 31 and they’ve made a timid approach for Edinson Cavani that didn’t go anywhere and then the Dries Mertens one where it was clearly a hard deal to make.
“They had an offer rejected, they were hoping to make another one and still convince Mertens and Napoli for him to come to the Bridge, didn’t happen.
“I don’t know why it took them so long and now they have to stick with [Olivier] Giroud, where he doesn’t want to be and he’s not really the player they’ve wanted or needed anyway.”
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Giroud wanted to leave but Chelsea’s failure to sign a replacement ended chances of a late move to London rivals Tottenham or Italian side Lazio.
Laurens claimed the former Arsenal striker was feeling stressed in the final hours of the window.
“Olivier Giroud is waiting, I was going to say ‘patiently’, but he’s more stressed than patiently, to see if he can leave the club,” he added.
“He’s made it quite clear to Chelsea that, because of the lack of game time and with the Euros in six months, he has to leave to play and get more game time, otherwise there's a risk he would miss the Euros with France.”
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Chelsea transfer news: Frank Lampard wanted to make additions up front in January (Image: GETTY)
Lampard was full of praise for Giroud though after announcing he would stay at Chelsea.
“Olivier Giroud in this window has been incredible as a professional and as a man,” Lampard said.
“We all know there’s been interest and I’ve sat here at every press conference and said it could happen but only if it worked for all parties, so the club and the player.
“He’s been impeccable in that period and I’ve got huge respect for him as a man and a player."