2pm Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Man Utd build up, £70m Chilwell targeted, Lampard eyes Hudson-Odoi stay – The Sun
FRANK LAMPARD is running the rule over his Chelsea players with the season finally underway.
And the Blues – who are under a transfer ban – were unable to sign anyone in the window, but sold David Luiz to rivals Arsenal on deadline day.
Follow ALL of the latest Blues news, updates and gossip below…
A LITTLE over two hours until the Frank Lampard era gets underway with a crunch clash against Man Utd.
And another Bridge legend will be watching…
AHEAD of the big kick-off at 4.30, blogger Toby Brown of 'The Chels' has spoken to SunSport about losing David Luiz to Arsenal.
The Brazilian centre-back made the switch across North London on Deadline Day – but hasn't been named in the starting XI against Newcastle.
Toby wrote: “There's rarely been a player so divisive in one sense, yet so unifying in another.
“As much as Chelsea's transfer business is conducted by the board, I struggle to believe Frank was not consulted on this move.
“I for one think he gave it his blessing.
“We are seeing a revolution at Chelsea, and for too long the player power has seemed to take priority over managerial direction, that's changing now.
“Luiz is very much part of the “old guard” of Abramovich teams, and now we have a team in place that are here for the club.
“Not just the wages or prestige, it seems his is a face that no longer fits.”
LIVERPOOL defender Virgil van Dijk doubts whether Chelsea can challenge the Reds to the Premier League title this season.
Speaking ahead of the Uefa Super Cup clash against the Blues, Van Dijk told the Observer: “All we ever do is concentrate on that game that’s immediately ahead of us.
“We’ll take the challenge of Istanbul for what it is. We know Chelsea have a lot of quality. They won the Europa League so we know what we are going to face and we will be fully focused on the task.
“We will analyse them properly over the next couple of days to make sure we are fully ready for another big game.
“I don’t know if Chelsea are going to be our rivals in the Premier League at the end of the season, that’s all too far away to talk about.
“But it already seems clear that the league is going to be tougher this year because a lot of the teams near the top have improved.”
FRANK LAMPARD went on a seven-mile run around Old Trafford ahead of his Premier League debut as Chelsea manager.
The Blues legend takes charge of his first competitive game as Chelsea boss as his side travel to Manchester United to face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reds.
Possibly feeling nervous ahead of the big game Lampard went on an intense run around Old Trafford starting at 8.30am this morning.
He pounded the Manchester streets along with his backroom staff including assistant Jody Morris.
The Blues coaches covered seven miles in the 40 minute workout.
On Lampard's mind will have been his team selection for the clash at the Theatre of Dreams.
Frank Lampard goes for 7-mile run around Old Trafford ahead of his Premier League debut as Chelsea manager against Man Utd
FRANK LAMPARD has revealed he sympathises with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of his side's meeting against Man Utd later today.
The Norwegian has been criticised after the Red Devils' poor end to last season, but Lampard has claimed his treatment has been “harsh”.
He said: “When you manage a club like Manchester United or Chelsea it comes with the territory. It can be excessive, not just for Ole, but for everyone in football. You have to have a thick skin.
“It is possibly harsh as it is something that he came in to and he had a great lift.
“I think it’s his real chance to make a stamp on that team with a window and a pre-season behind him.
“And I’m trying to make a stamp here, so it makes for a competitive match. It is up to him and it is up to me.”
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