Granosvkaia willing to back Lampard in January to sign this £80m English star

Declan Rice is a target for Chelsea and the Blues will make a move for him in January

Chelsea chief Marina Granosvkaia is to back Frank Lampard and push to sign Declan Rice in the winter window, according to Ian McGarry (h/t Express).

Rice has been one of the top English talents in the Premier League over the past 18 months. The 21-year-old is also an England international and has helped West Ham to 10th place in the league standings.

Declan Rice has been linked with Chelsea
Declan Rice of West Ham United acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on January 22, 2020 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Lampard has seen a hot start by the Blues cool down in recent weeks. We have won just one out of our last five Premier League games and are sixth in the league standings.

Despite the ups and downs this season, the report claims that Granosvkaia and the Chelsea board will back Lampard and push for signings.

McGarry was speaking on Reach PLC’s Transfer Window Podcast and brought up the Rice issue (h/t Express):

“Declan Rice the West Ham defensive midfielder who Lampard covets very much with his regard to his ability to play in a back three and just ahead of defence in terms of playing as a disruptor as he does for West Ham, that chase will be upped in this window upcoming.

“However the expectation at Chelsea is that perhaps West Ham prefer to sell in the summer and not in the January window.”

Frank Lampard reveals that Chelsea no do not regret releasing Declan Rice as a 14-year-old from their academy in 2013. (GETTY Images)
Frank Lampard admires Declan Rice of West Ham. (GETTY Images)

McGarry added that the Blues will also push for the move come the end of the season and the player is interested in a move to Chelsea.

The right man for the job?

Chelsea could do with another midfielder coming into the scene. Rice’s ability to play in the heart of the defence is also a bonus as he can provide cover for our central defenders.

However, the Englishman won’t come on the cheap. Football.london have suggested that West Ham want close to £80million for Rice.

Kai Havertz has had a slow start to his career at Chelsea this season. (GETTY Images)
Kai Havertz has had a slow start to his career at Chelsea this season. (GETTY Images)

Chelsea already spent big at the start of this season on the likes of Kai Havertz and Timo Werner. They two are yet to show what they are capable of doing on the pitch, but they need more time to settle in.

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Rice, for his part, knows the Premier League well and it will be interesting to see what our plans are for him.