Chelsea transfer news: Frank Lampard discusses January transfer plans after ban lifted

CAS halved the initial two-window transfer ban for the Blues last week to give them the green light to sign players next month

Lampard previewed the Champions League game against Lille (PA)

Frank Lampard is wary of being “too reactionary” now that Chelsea’s transfer ban has been lifted after the Court of Arbitration for Sport halved their initial punishment from Fifa.

Chelsea acquired Mateo Kovacic on a permanent deal last summer and saw Christian Pulisic return from his loan back to Borussia Dortmund after his January move.

Nonetheless, last summer counted as one of their windows served from the original ban, meaning the Blues are now free to sign players in January, but Lampard is refusing to get carried away.

“You have to be careful not to be too reactionary,” Lampard warned. “As a club there has to be a balance.

“We have a strong squad, but can we strengthen? You do learn as you go along with the players. It hasn’t changed my mindset.

“It’s always pretty fluid, I wouldn’t say I have changed my mind. There were individual contact moments we lost with Everton.”

A Chelsea statement accused Fifa of double standards when compared to Manchester City avoiding a transfer ban after being found guilty of a similar rules breach.

“Fifa chose to treat Chelsea entirely differently to Manchester City for reasons that make absolutely no sense,” read an official statement.

“The approach taken by Fifa to this case has been deeply unsatisfactory.”

“Chelsea respects the importance of the work undertaken by Fifa in relation to the protection of minors and has fully cooperated with Fifa throughout its investigation,” added Chelsea.

“However, if Fifa continues to impose inconsistent and unequal sanctions on clubs then it will not only undermine the very purpose of the regulations, but it will also bring into doubt the game’s confidence in Fifa being able to appropriately regulate this important area.”