Lampard opens up on Chelsea’s £80 million target head of January transfer window

Frank Lampard has opened up and discussed long-term Chelsea transfer target Declan Rice, heading into the January transfer window.

It was no secret that wewere very interested in trying to sign Rice over the summer transfer window, as they reportedly saw him as the idea man to replace the ageing Ngolo Kante, but could not get a deal done.

A mixture of his £80 million price tag being an issue, the Hammers not wanting to sell and the fact we just spent over £250 million on new players meant that they would not be getting their top transfer target, in the summer window.

However, with the January transfer window just a few weeks away, there has been alot of speculation in the media that we may decide to swoop in and make an offer to try and tempt the Hammers into agreeing a transfer deal for the Englishman.

And as his side prepare to face West Ham on Monday night, Lampard has been opening up on Rice, and discussing the decision to let him leave Stamford Bridge as a kid.

When asked if the club regret ever letting him, Lampard was quoted on the Daily Express: “He’s a fantastic player for West Ham and England. Fair play. It’s a good story. It shows a strength of character. I wouldn’t say it’s a regret.

“Our academy is one of the best in the world and it’s not easy because it’s not an exact science. Declan deserves personal credit for the start he has had at West Ham.”

Rice moving away was probably the best thing for his carer as it allowed him to develop into the player he is right now, so if we do make a transfer move soon, he is now ready to make an impact on that first team

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