New Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has played down the effects of the transfer ban on the club, saying that he doesn’t need to make new signings.
Chelsea are not able to register new senior players due to the two-window transfer ban imposed by FIFA in February and upheld in May after the governing body found them guilty of breaching rules related to the signing of players under the age of 18.
”I think I’ve inherited very good players,” Lampard said in a press conference in Japan. “We can’t bring any players in, we know that, but I don’t need new players.
“I’m very happy with the squad and determined for us to be successful.”
Despite the ban, Chelsea have made one new signing this window, announcing the signature of Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid in a deal worth £40.3 million earlier this month.
Kovacic spent last season on loan at the club, meaning that the Blues were able to sign the midfielder without breaching their two-transfer window ban as he was still registered with the club after June 30.
The 25-year-old midfielder was sat alongside Lampard at the press conference and said: ”It’s amazing to have a club legend as your coach but it’s also quite tough. The training is intense but we’re enjoying it.
“There is a lot of the ball, exactly what we like, and we’re looking forward to learn a lot and make him proud.”
The Chelsea squad arrived in Japan on Tuesday morning for their pre-season tour.
Lampard’s side will play J1 league champions Kawasaki Frontale in Yokohama on Friday before meeting Spanish champions Barcelona in Saitama on July 23.