A selection of talents who could fill the void when the Blues legend, as expected, leaves Stamford Bridge
10. Alen Halilovic (Dinamo Zagreb)
A teenager with the world at his feet, Alen Halilovic is a 16-year-old talent who has already proven to be a star with Dinamo Zagreb in his native Croatia. A mix of Lionel Messi and Luka Modric, he is a highly sought after attacking midfielder with Barcelona and Manchester United among those wanting to secure his signature. He may not be ready to replace Lampard now, but he would be a major hit in the years to come.
9. Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Roman Abramovich thought he had done enough to secure the signing of Brazilian Taison from Metalist Kharkiv, only to find out that Shaktar Donetsk trumped him with a last minute deal. The 25-year-old Taison plays in a withdrawn striker role and would have filled that link role between midfield and attack that Lampard has so brilliantly done over the last decade and more at Chelsea. But he will not be making the move to Stamford Bridge.
8. Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo)
Although technically a forward, Iago Aspas can also fill an advanced midfield role similar to the one we have become accustomed to seeing Lampard play. The Celta Vigo star is available for less than £10million and as a 25-year-old fits the bill perfectly age-wise, but the fact he is also being chased by Reading may mean he is not quite up to the job of playing for a team looking to win Premier League titles and Champions Leagues.
7. Benat (Real Betis)
The Real Betis midfielder has a 20million euros release clause in his contract, but Chelsea’s interest to date has extended to no more than a 10million euros enquiry. The 25-year-old is highly rated, so much so that Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are interested, but whether he can be the next Lampard is open to debate.
6. Will Hughes (Derby County)
Derby County’s 17-year-old midfielder has been linked with moves to every big club during the transfer window and he could be a candidate to replace Lampard long-term. The blonde bombshell has the box-to-box energy but perhaps not yet the goalscoring prowess we’ve come to expect of Lampard. One for the future rather than an immediate replacement.
5. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid’s midfielder has found things tough in Spain since leaving Tottenham and the Premier League behind in the summer. The Croatian was a Chelsea target for consecutive summers prior to heading to the Bernabeu for £33million, but he would well be available on the cheap following his disastrous introduction to La Liga. Modric has been linked with moves to Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, where he could fill a playmaker role at the heart of the midfielder in Lampard’s absence.
4. Kaka (Real Madrid)
The Brazilian legend’s days at Real Madrid are number, but a proposed return to former club AC Milan has collapsed because of the financial demands. That has put Chelsea in contention to sign the 30-year-old, something that has been on the agenda in years gone by, although the feasibility of his replacing Lampard long-term have to be question on age grounds alone.
3. Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
The presence of a £22million release clause in his Everton contract has resulted in much speculation about the future of Marouane Fellaini this month and Chelsea have been reported to be one of the club’s keen on signing him. The Belgian would link up with international team-mate Eden Hazard at Chelsea should be make the move, and more important would provide the goal threat that will surely disappear when Lampard exits Stamford Bridge for the last time.
2. Willian (Shakhtar Donestk)
The Brazilian playmaker has continually been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the transfer window and is seen as a long-term replacement for Lampard. His role at the heart of Shaktar Donetsk’s midfield is seen to be under threat following the arrival of Taison, who opted to join the Ukrainian championship over a move to Chelsea, and he is expected to be in the Chelsea blue come next season for around£20million.
1. Isco (Malaga)
Isco, or Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez to give him his full name, is expected to be the next big star of the Spanish national team and there are strong suggestions that he has already been signed ahead of a summer move from Malaga. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has been a first-team regular in the south of Spain for the last two years and he could prove to be the ideal replacement for club legend Lampard.