Ten players Chelsea could sign if legendary midfielder leaves the club.
10. Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
Although not strictly an attacking midfielder, the Chilean has shown in his time at Juventus that he has an eye for goal, and could also replicate the high numbers that Lampard gives in assists. Also a target for Manchester United, the Blues may have to move quick to land the talented 25-year-old.
9. Julian Draxler (Schalke)
The 19-year-old Schalke attacker recently signed a new deal with the Bundesliga club, but is sure to attract more attention from big clubs in the near future. The youngster, who has 12 goals from midfield this season, has been linked with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, but could be the ideal Lampard-style player to replace the Chelsea legend one day at Stamford Bridge.
8. Florian Thauvin (Lille)
Chelsea have been scouting the talented young midfielder Florian Thauvin, who has impressed this season on loan at Bastia. Still only 20, the Frenchman has reached double figures in goals this season from a midfield position. He may still be young and raw, but he seems a player in the Lampard mould and is already on the radar of scouts at Stamford Bridge. They have also looked to Lille before, bringing in Eden Hazard from the Ligue 1 club last summer.
7. Marek Hamsik (Napoli)
The Slovakian has a hugely impressive 10 goals and 22 assists for Napoli this season, though his contribution is often overshadowed by the club’s star player Edinson Cavani. Still, Hamsik is a player who has shown his attacking ability over the last few seasons, and could be a great addition to Chelsea’s midfield if Lampard is let go. A player who would surely only improve with a step up to a bigger club.
6. Hernanes (Lazio)
The Brazilian midfielder is a target for Manchester City, but if anyone can compete financially with the Etihad club, it’s Chelsea. Hernanes has been an excellent signing for Lazio, earning a reputation for scoring the occasional long range screamer, much like Lampard himself. The 27-year-old is surely destined for a move to a bigger team, and Chelsea would do well not to miss out on this attacking midfield talent.
5. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
The Borussia Dortmund attacker can play in a variety of roles, either upfront or on the wings or off the striker, and surely has the talent to adapt to the ‘Lampard role’ at Chelsea. The 23-year-old is one of many highly rated young talents in Germany at the moment, and the Blues will surely face a great deal of competition for his signature, but they’re unlikely to regret adding the Dortmund man to their ranks.
4. Michu (Swansea City)
The Spaniard has had an excellent first season in the Premier League, moving to Swansea for just £2million from La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano. Although now played as a striker, he was used more of a midfielder at his old club, showing a Lampard-like knack for getting forward and finishing off attacking moves. Anyone who’s watched him for Swansea this season cannot question his finishing ability, and he is likely to be in-demand after 21 goals for the Swans. Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have already been linked with the talented 27-year-old.
3. Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
Although a different player to Lampard, Marouane Fellaini has been an efficient goal scorer for Everton this season. The 25-year-old has 12 goals in all competitions, showing an almost Didier Drogba-like aerial threat in the penalty area. It may involve a shift in Chelsea’s tactics, but that change could see them use Fellaini well to replace the goals of the departing Lampard. However, he will now be favourite to follow David Moyes to Manchester United in the summer.
2. Andre Schurrle (Bayer Leverkusen)
Chelsea are widely tipped to seal the signing of 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen winger Andre Schurrle, though a deal has yet to be confirmed. It could be that the Blues see Schurrle as the ideal Lampard replacement, even though he tends to get his goals from wide areas with his current club. Still, a talented attacker who could be groomed by Chelsea as an excellent goal-poaching midfielder.
1. Isco (Malaga)
Chelsea would pull off one of the signings of the summer if they land Isco from Malaga. The 21-year-old is one of the hottest young talents in Spain at the moment and wanted by Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester City. With a knack for poaching goals from midfield as well as being a talented playmaker, he would be the ideal long-term replacement for Lampard, with many great years ahead of him in the game. Though the Blues will have to act fast to stop Manuel Pellegrini bringing him to the Etihad Stadium, after the Chilean looks likely to replace Roberto Mancini as City boss next season.